
Qass. 
Book. 



7 J 



THE 



SCOUT AND RANGER: 



PERSONAL ADVENTURES 



CORPORAL PIKE. 



or THE FOUHTH OHIO CAVALBT. 



AS A TEXAN RANGEB, IN THE INDIAN WARS, DELINEATINQ WESTERN ADVEN' 
TUKE ; AFTEKWARD A SCOUT AND SPY, IN TE^fNESSKE, ALABAMA, 
GEORGIA, AND THE CAROLTNAS, UNDER GENERALS MIT- 
CHELL, ROSECRANS, STANLEY, SHERIDAN, LY- 
TLE, THOMAS, CROOK, AND SHERMAN. 

FULLY ILLUSTRATING THE SECRET SERVICE. 



TWENTT-riVE rULL-PA&E ENaEAVDfGS, 




CINCINNATI & NEW YORK : 

J. K. HAWLEY & CO. 
1865. 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1865, by 

J. R. HAWLEY A CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the South- 
ern District of Ohio. 






T C* <■ 1^ 



DEDICATION. 



TO 

MY LATE COMRADES IN AHMS, 

THIS BOOK 

Is ^atsptitfulls ©tllitattii 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



Whatever aids in illustrating tlie spirit of the late great 
struggle, through whicli the nation has so successfully passed, 
must be of interest to the American reader. The occurrences of 
the late lehellion will ever form a study for the free citizens of the 
Republic of far deeper interest than those of any other event m 
the world's history ; and few will be content with the perusal of 
mere outlines, or of battle descriptions, however vivid, but which 
are only repetitions, though of a magnified type, of what the world 
has witnessed at almost every decade, since the dawn of civiliza- 
tion; and hence they will search out details, and incidents, 
which will lead them into the spirit of a conflict, to which they 
are indebted for their national greatness, material prosperity, 
and civil and religious freedom; and those incidents maybe 
as readily learned in connection with the career of the Private 
Soldier, as with that of the Major General. 

The simple but touching narratives of one who has survived 
the horrors of a rebel prison; or the little hillock which covers 
the remains of one of the murdered victims of rebel cruelty, are 
far more perfect illustrations of the civilization of the ruling 
classes in the South, and the malignity of their character, than 
the whole career of the ablest of our commanders. 

Thousands of incidents in the life of every soldier, were 
they recorded, would be invaluable in illustrating the history of 
the late war ; but the mass of these will soon be forgotten, and 

(T) 



VI PREFACE. 

the actors themselves fill unknown graves. Men ^Tho, in any 
other era, would be singled out, and known as heroes to a whole 
nation for their gallant deeds, will pass through life as but one 
of millions, and must rest content with a general tribute to the 
great mass. 

We are now to have a national literature, as well as a national 
existence. American writers of romance and the drama, will no 
longer seek the antiquated regions of Europe for scenes and 
heroes; America has supplied all that is necessary to the most 
vivid of pictures ; and no pen, even though the plot be fiction, 
need ever exaggerate in incidents or descriptions. He who tells 
the simple truth, narrates more of the strange and the heroic, 
than could be conceived by the fertility of a Dickens, or a 
Dumas. 

The writer of this narrative, throughout, has adhered strictly 
to facts, without any attempt at embellishment. The wild 
chases after the Comanches ; the stern duties of war ; and the 
hardships of prison life, have left him little time to cultivate 
elegant diction, and as he has an abiding conviction that unvar- 
nished truth is ever more acceptable than high wrought fiction, 
he is content with the simple narrative, which is spread before 
the reader in the pages which follow. 

The Author. 
HiLLSBORO, Ohio, June 21, 1865. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

MY FIKST EFFORT AT SEEING LIFE — A TRIP TO TEXAS 19 

CHAPTER 11. 

MY FIRST INDIAN CAMPAIGN 33 

CAAPTER in. 

MORE ADVENTURE — MUSTERED OUT 57 

CHAPTER IV. 

WITH THE RANGERS AGAIN — BUFFALO HUNT — A LONELY 
JOURNEY 63 

CHAPTER V. 

ANOTHER LONELY RIDE — FRONTIER FEUDS 82 

CHAPTER VI. 

MORE ADVENTURE — MEETING AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE 86 

(vii) 



VIU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

KICKAPOO CAMPAIGN — INCIDENTS 95 

CHAPTER VIII. 

INDIAN WARFARE — SCALPING — CANNIBALISM 101 

CHAPTER IX. 

SCOUTING — A WHITE CAPTIVE , 112 



CHAPTER X. 

COL. Johnston's comanche campaign — a great failure — 

FRIGHTFUL SUFFERING OF THE RANGERS 118 



CHAPTER XI. 

KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE — SECESSION 136 

CHAPTER Xn. 

TYRANNY AND PERFIDY OF THE SECESSIONISTS 145 

CHAPTER XIII. 

OUT IN THE WILDERNESS 151 

CHAPTER XIV. 

FAREWELL TO DIXIE 155 

CHAPTER XV. 

IN THE UNION SERVICE — THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN 173 



CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER XVI. 

AFTER JOHN MORGAN 189 

CHAPTER XVH. 

RECONNOITERING MIDDLE TENNESSEE — SCOUTING AS CAPTAIN 
EONHAM OF THE FIRST LOUISIANA CAVALRY 196 

CHAPTER XVni. 

TRIP TO DECATUR — LIVELY ADVENTURES 208 

CHAPTER XIX. 

CARRYING AN IMPORTANT DISPATCH TO GENERAL BUELL 227 

CHAPTER XX. 

RECONNOITERING BRIDGEPORT — TAKEN PRISONER — MY TREAT- 
MENT — CRUELTY OF THE REBELS 235 

CHAPTER XXI. 

ARRIVAL OF WOUNDED FROM FREDRICKSBURG 249 

CHAPTER XXII. 

OUT OF THE HOSPITAL — OFF FOR HOME 253 

CHAPTER XXin. 

SCOUT TO WOODBURY — PLAYING REBEL SENTINEL — NARROW 

ESCAPES 260 

CHAPTER XXrV. 

GEN. Stanley's great raid — playing aid-de-camp — scout- 
ing AT HARPETH SHOALS 265 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

AFTER JOHN MORGAN IN OHIO — WAKING UP THE WRONG PAS- 
SENGER 273 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

OFF TO THE HIAWASSEE IN SEARCH OP STEAMBOATS — A FA- 
MILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD — FEARFUL LEAP — AFFECTING IN- 
CIDENT 276 

CHAPTER XXVn. 

AFTER STEAMBOATS AGAIN — A MOUNTAIN NYMPH — BOB WHITE, 

THE UNION BUSHWHACKER 286 

CHAPTER XXVin. 

BATTLES OF DUG GAP AND CHICKAMAUGA 300 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

PERSONAL ADVENTURES DURING THE BATTLE 311 

CHAPTER XXX. 

WHEELER BADLY WHIPPED — A PERILOUS TRIP OVER THE 

MUSCLE SHOALS 317 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

RAID IN NORTH CAROLINA — REBEL COLONEL WALKER KILLED. 329 

CHAPTER XXXn. 

BRIDGE BURNING EXPEDITION TO AUGUSTA 336 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

BLOODHOUND CHASE — TAKEN PRISONER — DRUNKEN AND EX- 



CITED REBELS. 



346 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHAPTER XXXrV. 

THE WHIPPING POST — TORTURING NEGROES — STARVING OUR 
PRISONERS — THE CHARLESTON JAIL — OUR OFFICERS VIN- 
DICATED 361 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

ADIEU TO CHARLESTON — ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS — ARRIVAL 

IN THE UNION LINES 370 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

THE NORTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN — DOWN TRIP TO WILMING- 
TON — AT SEA — DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE 383 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

PERSONAL — CONCLUSION 391 



SCOUT AND RANGER. 



CH A r T E E 1. 

MT FIRST EFFORT AT SEEING LIFE — A TRIP TO TEXAS. 

I HAVE not the vanity to suppose the details of my career in 
life, other than as it has been connected with the public service, 
would be of the slightest interest to the reader ; and, therefore, 
I shall not dwell upon them. But I can not but believe that my 
adventures in that most dangerous and romantic of all branches 
of the service — while acting the part of a scout — during the late 
long and bloody war against the most gigantic rebellion known 
to history, Avill be read with interest, not only by the patriotic 
people of the loyal states, for whom my life was risked, but by 
thousands in the South — violent rebels — who will, in these pages 
first recognize me, in my true character, as a soldier of the 
Union ; though oft I have partaken of iheir hospitalities, and been 
their familiar companion ; and many a rebel officer will, in the 
following narrative, for the first time learn that they have com- 
municated much valuable information to one who was in the 
service of the nation against which they had arrayed the whole 
power, and chivalry of half a score of powerful and flourishing 
states, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the thirty-seventh 
parallel of north latitude. 

My career as a scout was commenced under Gen. 0. M. 
Mitchell, who, in 1862, commanded the Third Division of the 
2 19 



20 TEXAN CIVILIZATION. 

Cumberland Army ; General ^litcliell, ^vho united in himself the 
qualities of a noble man, a thorough scholar, and a dashing officer, 
and -whose death, before the nation could well spare his services, 
caused a deep despondency to pervade every loyal breast. 
When he Avas removed from command in Tennessee, I was turned 
over to General Rosecrans ; who, in turn, on leaving, recom- 
mended me to General Thomas. I have also served with Gens, 
I). S. Stanly, George Crook, Lytle, Sheridan, Grant, and Sher- 
man ; so that the reader will not be at a loss to imagine that 
my term of service has been an eventful one ; and that vanity 
does not inspire me to Avrite an account of those wild and 
almost incredible adventures, which are naturally incident to 
the branch of the service to which I was devoted. 

But why engage in the dangerous vocation, and risk life, 
amid enemies who, had they known my character, would gladly 
have suspended me to the nearest limb ? Say, like Shylock, it 
was my nature, and the reader has it all. I had been well 
trained in such service, having left my home in Ohio, long 
since, and migrated to Texas, where I was schooled as a 
" Ranger " and hunter — the latter character being a necessary 
accompaniment of the former, as the ranger draws little or no 
subsistence from the government, but obeys the injunction of 
Scripture, and takes neither brass nor postal currency in his 
purse, nor hard tack in his haversack, relying almost entirely 
on his trusty rifle, for subsistence, from the first to the last of 
his terra of enlistment. 

But why should an Ohioan, and a printer, be induced to mi- 
grate to Texas, where civilization has but begun, and w^here 
men still fancy that there is something diabolical in tht^ 
process of producing books and newspapers ? In Texas' 
— a land of contrarities, where all is abundance, by the mere 
act of nature, or sterility beyond the power of art to fer- 
tilize ; where one only looks up stream for water ; where rivers 
are narrow at their mouths, and wide at their fountains; where 
the ground is never dusty, though parched with drouth ; where 
grass grows green in winter ; where neither the horse nor the 



OFF FOR KANSAS. 21 

co^T can be tempted to eat corn ; where the widest extremes of 
heat and cold are often felt in a day ; and where the unfortunate 
immigrant, if he murmurs, or shows surprise, at all he sees and 
feels, is at once pronounced "green from the states," and looked 
upon as an object of commiseration? AVell, perhaps it is 
strange that I should find myself there — but it is not more 
strange than true. 

I had been working at my trade in Jefferson City, Missouri, 
during the winter of 1858-9, and in the spring resolved to go to 
Kansas, Avhich was yet disturbed by factions, and consequently 
the ver}^ place for one fond of adventure ; and, as my nature 
prompted me to ramble, I saw no other section half so inviting ; 
and accordingly, having armed myself, " as the law directs," I 
started for the territory on foot. 

I had traveled but half a day, however, when I stopped for 
dinner at a wayside inn, kept by a plethoric old man, the pos- 
sessor of a young Avife and half a dozen worthless darkies. 
While at dinner, some one rode up to the gate and inquired of 
the landlord if there was a young man there, who was traveling 
on foot. 

'• That's my name," I said, and Avent to the door, to ascertain; 
what was vranted. 

" Say, young man," said the party, " don't you want to go to 
Texas?" 

"Don't care if I do," said I. 

"Well," he replied, " my name is Colonel Johnston ; I live 
twelve miles south of Dallas ; I am taking down a drove of 
horses, and want help ; I Avill furnish you wuth a horse, saddle, 
and bridle, and pay your way." 

In an instant, all desire to visit Kansas, and participate in 
the partisan turmoils, which were continually agitating the ter- 
ritory, "vanished into thin air," and in their stead arose visions 
of wild horse chases, buffalo hunts, Indian fights, and a thousand 
other " manly sports," which I knew to be the chief sources of 
amusement and excitement, in that wild, celebrated region. 

"But where were you going?" queried the Colonel.. 



22 CHANGE OF PURPOSE. 

"■To Kansas," I replied. 

" What were you going there for ?" he continued. 

"For fun," Avas my sententious, but truthful answer. 

'•Well," he responded, "if you want fun, just go to Texas; 
that is the place to find it ; plenty of all sorts of game, fine 
horses, and clever people. It 's just the spot for a young man. 
If ever you go there, you will like the country so well, that you 
will never leave it." 

"Hold on, then, till I get my dinner, and I'll go," was the 
only reply I stopped to make, till I had satisfied my appetite. 

Dinner over, I mounted the animal designated, and we pro- 
ceeded to gather up the horses, Avhich had scattered about to 
graze, while the Colonel was waiting on me. There were in the 
drove an unusually fine lot of northern mares, which Johnston 
stated would be very valuable in Texas, besides a number of 
magnificent geldings. 

As soon as we were fairly on our way, my employer took 
care to remind me that his name was Colonel Johnston, and in- 
quired mine. He then went on to enlighten me, by saying, that, 
in Te.xas, every man of an}^ note had some title ; was either 
dubbed General, Colonel, Major, Captain, Judge, or Esquire ; 
that his friends had given him the title of Colonel, though he 
had never held any milit;iry position, the term being merely 
complimentary. He further informed me, that at one time ir, 
his life, he had been a mate on board of a river steamer, and 
tlicn began to relate various feats of personal prowess, which at 
once inspired me with a high regard for both his physical and 
intellectual endowments. He was really a fine looking, robust 
m:in, about thirty-five years of age, of a very generous, anc/ 
manly disposition ; and but for a superfluity of vanity and self 
iuqjortance, was an exceedingly agreeable companion. He had 
been in Illinois, settling up his Avife's estate, and had taken her 
share of the property in horses ; and, by the way, one of the 
first things he told me was, that he had married a widow, 

AVe traveled fast; I thought very fast ; and as day after day 
caaie and went, and we were m the saddle early and late, I be- 



THREATENED ASSASSINATION. 23 

gan to imagine something must be wrong about the man and 
his horses ; but I said nothing. On the second day after we 
had joined fortunes, he began to deprecate the ftict that he would 
have to force a sale of a horse in order to raise money ; where- 
upon I loaned him a sufficient sum (I think about forty dollars 
in gold), to take him through. The reader will say that this 
was indescreet on such a short acquaintance, and that I ought 
not to have been so free with my money with a stranger. But 
it was always a fault of mine to confide in strangers, and in 
this case I did not lose anything, though at one time I believed 
the chances good to lose all ; for Johnston sought a quarrel with 
me in the Indian Nation, while near Boggy river, and I detected 
him in the act of drawing his six-shooter on me, at a time when 
he thought I did not observe him. My rifle was near at hand, 
and I quickly had him at my mercy, Avith my piece leveled on 
his breast, and my finger on the trigger. We had differed the 
evening before as to which side of the mountain the road went, 
and I Avas found to be in the right. But this was such a triflins: 
excuse for a quarrel, that I naturally concluded he entertained 
the notion of putting me out of the way, and thus get, not only 
all I had loaned him, but all I had on my person. My advice to 
young men is, not to be too free in showing money to strangers ; 
nor ought they to do as I have often done, make loans when 
there was no way of getting the money back when it is wanted. 
In this instance I might have lost every dollar I possessed, and 
my life, too, by my freedom in letting a stranger know my re- 
sources. I was green then, but am wiser now. 

Our route lay through South Missouri, along a high barren 
ridge, for eighty miles. If I remember rightly, we passed no 
town till we came to Linn creek, where we crossed the Osage 
river, which, I believe, is the head of navigation. It is a small 
town but is a very business like little place. As we crossed the 
river a little boat steamed away from the landing, loaded, as I 
afterward learned, with nineteen tons of deer hides, besides 
other peltries and furs. The town is hemmed in by the Osnge 
range, which although very high and abrupt, should rather be 



24 SOUTH WEST MISSOURI. 

called hills than mountains. The rock of this range is a sort 
of lava concrete on the surface, ■while the tops of the ridges and 
level benches in the mountains :vere covered with bowlders, evi- 
dently of volcanic origin, as they have the appearance of having 
been melted in a little round-bottomed pot, from which, after 
cooling, they had been dumped. This portion of the country 
abounds in minerals, especially lead and iron; and it is, perhaps, 
the best watered region in the United States ; thousands of large, 
clear springs Jjurst out from beneath the mountain ranges; but 
very few issue from their sides, however, which is somewhat 
remarkable. 

We passed through Springfield, which at that time was a beau- 
tiful and flourishing little city. A school dismissed while we 
were riding through the streets, and from the walls of the large 
seminary issued such a swarm of pretty girls, as would make any 
youno; man's head swim with delisrht as he viewed them. I have 
always had a curiosity to go back there. 

From Springfield our route w"as through a good country for 
some distance, until we reached Barry county, in which the 
land is too poor and rocky to talk about. While traveling 
through it, we managed to tear oS" nearly every shoe from the 
horses' feet, and this caused some delay, in getting them re-set. 

Getting on our way again, we passed through Cassville. The 
country was still so rocky that the geese could n't walk about 
to graze; at least so I concluded, from the fact that I saw- 
one sitting on a hill-side, some distance from a house, and a 
wom^an carrying it food. . The goose made no effort to help 
itself, and the woman had to rough it over the rocks the entire 
distance. 

Crossing the Arkansas line, we reached Bentonville, a very 
thrivino; village in the Ozark mountains; thence wo went to 
Fayctteville, a town of considerable importance, to the north, 
but in sight of the Boston mountain, a spur of the Ozark range. 
As we passed through, we met the overland mail stage, coming 
at full speed, or at least as fast as mule flesh could move it. 

When stages were first put on this line, considerable excite- 



OVERLAND MAIL. 25 

ment was created in Western Arkansas ; it was a new thing — 
an eighth wonder of the worki ; and to the great disgust of the 
" natives," some "of the managers and their wives, feeling the im- 
portance of their " posish," put on considerable " style ;" and the 
popular disgust would manifest itself on every possible occasion, 
much to the annoyance, both of employees and passengers. The 
children readily imbibed the spirit of their seniors and would 
continually reiterate the slang of their parents. On this par- 
ticular occasion, as the coach came down a steep hill into the 
town, a crowd of little wchins was standing by the roadside, 
waiting to see the " sights ;" when one of them, a bright looking 
boy, but as ragged as only Arkansas children are, elbows and 
knees out, with a huge rent in that part of his pants covering the 
spot "where mothers smite their young," from which protruded 
a piece of muslin very much the color of the surrounding soil, — 
shouted at the top of his voice: "The g-r-e-a-t 0-v-e-r-l-a-n-d 
M-a-i-1 C-o-m-p-a-n-y — " and was, evidently, going to add some- 
thing more, when a huge, muscular, six-footer of a passenger 
thrust his head out of the window and yelled : " Dry up, you 
little reprobate, or I'll jump out and raise a crowd and clean you 
out in a minute." The little urchin and his party, not exactly 
expecting such a reception, took to their heels, each with his flag 
of truce flying behind him almost horizontally. The sight was 
immensely enjoyed by the wearied passengers, who greeted the 
retreating boys with roars of laughter. The lumbering of the 
coach and the shouts of the passengers so frightened our horses 
chat we had a stampede for the next five miles, but fortunately, 
no harm resulted. 

Boston mountain was the next difiiculty we had to surmount. 
The road over it is fifteen miles long, and the ascent was exceed- 
ingly steep ; but there are several steppes, or benches, on the 
sides, and these aff'ord good resting places for travelers. Every 
acre on these steppes is good tillable land, and would be admi- 
rably adapted to vine growing; while upon the very summit is 
one of the finest farms in Arkansas. We stopped here for the 
night and were generously entertained, as indeed we always 



26 A MOUNTAIN STORM. 

were ; for tlie people of this State, before the war, were ever 
noted for their hospitality. 

On the following morning we started down the mountain. The 
sky wore a threatening appearance; great banks of clouds 
seemed to rise from the horizon, and, as it were, to be sucked 
or drawn from every direction toward the mountain by some 
powerful current or attraction, until, finally, as we reached the 
first bench from the top, they met with such violence that the 
concussion seemed to jar the mountain itself, as if it had been 
shaken by an earthquake. Peal upon peal of thunder rolled 
through the clouds, accompanied by terrific flashes of glittering 
lightning, that seemed to leap from heaven to earth, and from 
earth again through boundless space. To add to the terrific 
noise of the thunder, it bellowed through the mountain gorges, 
reverberating from cliff to cliff, like volleys of musketry, and 
A\ as accompanied by the sound of creaking boughs, falling trees, 
and of rocks loosed by the winds, tumbling from the summit of 
the mountain to the abysses below. The falling rain soon accu- 
mulated into torrents, and these added to the din, as they fell over 
precipices, until one could scarcely do other than conclude that 
harmony had been broken up in the heavens and that the ele- 
ments Avere engaging in one long, desperate, and terrific strife. 

We did not stop — we could not; the storm came sweeping 
down the mountain with a fury that was irresistible; and nearly 
carried our animals over the cliffs. The clouds themselves 
seemed to be falling, for in addition to the torrents of rain which 
drenched us, we were closely envelo|)ed in a thick mist which 
shut out from our view all surrounding objects. The horses en- 
tirely bewildered, became frantic, and dashed off in all directions, 
but chiefly up the sides of the gorge, down which our route lay. 
Some were speedily lost to view, while others almost precipitated 
themselves down the mountain side, regardless of danger. As 
for ourselves, we were poAverless, and could only await the dis- 
persion of the clouds that we might see what to do ; and fortu- 
nately we were not compelled to wait long, as the stem was 
brief; it however made up in fury what it lacked in duration 



A FREE FIGHT. 27 

One by one -we discovered our horses on the mountain side, 
trembling at the giddy hight to which, in their terror, and 
while enveloped in fog, they had clambered. To get them down 
was a Avork of no little difficulty and danger, but it was accom- 
plished, however, without accident, and we sped away for Lee's 
creek, a mountain stream which was known to rise with great 
rapidity, and when up was not fordable. The prospect of being 
water bound in the mountains for two or three days without pro- 
visions, the reader will admit, was not very inviting ; and so we 
concluded, and we put on our best speed and gained the ford 
just in time; for five minutes later and it was a roaring 
torrent. 

Not far from the foot of Boston mountain Ave passed through 
n little village of sixty or eighty houses, the inhabitants of Avhich 
appeared to be settling some question of vital importance to the 
community, as they were engaged in a free fight after the most 
approved style — every body being in ; and oaths, rocks, clubs, 
and pistol-shots were the order of the day. Not receiving any 
invitation to participate, and being firm adherents of the theory 
that every community should be alloAved to settle its domestic 
affairs in its OAvn way, subject only to the Constitution of the 
United States — even though that way was a little rough — Ave 
passed along on our route, through a shower of ill-aimed missiles ; 
and for once denied ourselves the luxury of eno;agino; in a 
free fight. 

We crossed the Arkansas river at Van Buren, and stopped 
with very good Avill at a plantation OAvned by a handsome Avidow, 
whose husband had been an oificer in the regular service. Oar 
entertainment Avas superb, and at nine o'clock we retired, and, 
being Avearied, Avere soon enjoying a profound sleep. ToAvard 
midnight wc Avere aroused by a loud barking in the yard from 
half a score or so of dogs. On going to the door I looked out 
and discovered a man in the act of turning our horses out of the 
lot. Seizing my rifle, I aroused Johnston, and started for the 
scene of operations. Luckily the animals Avere tired, and moved 
sloAvly, so that I was on the thief in a minute ; and he, seeing that 



28 INDIAN CIVILIZATION. 

I was armed, loosed his hold, fired a shot, and fled. I returned 
his fire in haste and at random ; so the ball did not take effect. 
The thief ran down the lane, at the end of which an accomplice 
was standing, and in a moment they both mounted their horses.^ 
and were soon out of sight. 

At Fort Smith we entered the Indian Nation — the first we 
met being Choctaws. They had long been on friendly terms 
with the whites, and traveling through their country was as safe 
as, and perhaps safer than, in Arkansas. But few of the Indians 
build their houses on public roads, the exceptions generally be- 
ing half-breeds. The full Indian always seeks some secluded 
spot on which to build. There were some handsomely improved 
farms through the country, but they were mostly owned by white 
men who had married Indian wives. 

We camped out through the Nation, and procured our food, 
ready cooked, from the people. The squaws make excellent 
bread, and they supplied us bountifully with stewed venison. 
One may go to the Indian's house when he will, and he will find 
the kettle on and boiling, filled with the choicest meat. I inva- 
riably found the natives kind and obliging, and very reasonable 
in their charges. I often left Johnston to wait in the woods for 
his rations, while I sat down with the Indians, and enjoyed a 
warm meal. They had milk, eggs, and butter in abundance. 
All eat soup, succotash, and other " spoon victuals,'' out of the 
same dish, and with the same spoon; not from a scarcity of 
either, but from their laws of etiquette. He is regarded as ex- 
ceedingly rude who refuses to eat soup from the same bowl with 
them, though each is supplied with separate plates, knives, and 
forks for the eating of meat, eggs, fruit, etc. 

Although I did not discover any malicious disposition among 
the natives, I was informed that human life was held very cheap 
by them; although they seldom molest white men traveling 
through their country, they frequently engage in deadly strife 
among themselves. I do not think much of their progress in 
civilization as a general thing. Here and there a farm and resi- 
dence evinced industry and taste ; but on the next, perhaps, one 



WHISKY IN DEMAND. 29 

■will see a crowd of grown young men and ■women, stark naked, 
playing marbles. 

Their police regulations were well adapted to preserve order. 
In every township of six miles square there was a mounted 
force of ten men, one relief of whom was almost constantly in 
the saddle, traveling the country in all directions ; and their mode 
of transmitting intelligence from one beat to another was only 
excelled by the telegraph. 

The country is beautifully diversified ■nuth mountains, bold, 
rugged, and often isolated, rising from the surface of a level 
valley. They are covered with pine and cedar and other ever- 
greens. The valleys are well adapted to grazing, and hence the 
principal wealth of the country is in horses, cattle, and hogs. 
We were often stopped at the bridges to pay toll. As the 
streams throughout the entire region usually have quicksand 
bottoms, it is a great convenience to travelers to have these 
bridges, although it is rather disagreeable to encounter a squaw 
every few miles vigorously demanding toll. 

On Boggy River we were out in the rain for some time, and, 
being wet without, we were naturally dry within; and as the 
water in the Indian Nation does not possess sufficient consis- 
tency to quench thirst on such occasions, we resolved to procure 
some Avhisky. But how? That "was the question. The law 
was very strict in prohibiting its importation or manufacture, 
and it was not easy to evade it. However, we must procure 
some; and, seeing a house at a short distance from the road, we 
stopped the horses to graze while I set out on the questionable 
mission of purchasing whisky, without knowing what to call it 
In Choctaw. 

At the house I found no one at home except a squaw so old 
that her teeth were worn off even with her gums, and a young 
^irl — very pretty, but very shy. I made known the object of my 
visit by telling her, in the very best English I could command, 
that I desired to purchase some whisky ; but she failed to com- 
prehend my meaning. I thought for a moment, and then con- ■ 
eluded that as they had to smuggle it, perhaps they would be 



30 nature's language. 

mo]-e familiar with bottled liquors, and I said "brandy," but was 
still not understood, " Morning-glory," " eye-opener," "wliis- 
ky-cocktail," " gin-sling," " stone-wall," and the names of a host 
of other drinks arose in my mind, but were discarded, one after 
another, as altogether unknown in that barbarous locality; and 
I be^an to indulge in unavailin^c regrets that I had not learned 
to speak Choctaw before visiting the country. But at this mo- 
ment a happy idea presented itself, and I forthwith proceeded to 
put it into execution. Up to this time the Indian girl had stood 
resolutely in the middle of the floor, as if prepared to dispute 
my further advance. I now passed by her, and walked to a 
table where there was a gourd. Seeing the movement, she 
sprang to it, and filled it Avith water from a bucket near by, and 
presented it to me to drink with every expression of kindness. 
Reader, I must own it was a most eloquent temperance lecture; 
and, perhaps, had I been alone, I should have made no further 
attempt to make myself understood; but Johnston was out on 
the prairie, thoroughly dnmched, while I — well, for my part, I 
was dri/. Pouring the water back into the bucket, I raised the 
gourd to my mouth, pretended to take a long drink, then made 
a wry face, smacked my lips, touched my breast with my fore- 
finger, and then staggered a little. In an instant I was under- 
stood. Her black eye sparkled with delight, and she indulged 
in a merry laugh. Running out into the yard, she spent some 
time looking up and down as if in fear; then hastily entering 
the house, she lifted a board in the floor under the table, and 
drew forth a quart flask nearly fidl of the desired article, and 
lianded it to me. I produced some money to pay for it, but she 
put back my hand in an agitated manner, pointed to the path by 
which I came, and patted her hands together several times has- 
tily, which I interpreted into "go quick;" so without waiting to 
retui-n thanks which she could not understand, to her evident 
satisfaction, I left. 

That night Ave encamped on Boggy River, Avhich, I believe, 
divides the lands of the ChoctaAVS and Chickasaws. It is a very 
considerable stream, Avith broad, i-icli valleys, finely tiuibered. 



IN TEXAS. 31 

The land has been but little improved by labor. It was here 
that Johnston took it into his head to be "unlawful;" but that 
was the only difficulty I ever had with him. 

At Boo^fry Depot Ave saw a great many Choctaws and Chicka- 
saws assembled to hold a grand council, and, like all political 
gatherings, it was a mixed crowd. Some Avere gay, some were 
quiet, some were noisy, and, despite of stringent prohibition, 
some were drunk, and consequently boisterous. This depot is 
a great resort for all classes of traders. 

From Boggy we traveled through a well-timbered country, 
occupied by the Chickasaws. It is not so mountainous as the 
Choctaw country, and I do not consider the people nearly so far 
advanced in civilization as the Choctaws, but far more docile and 
kind in their manners. 

We crossed the Red river at Colbert's ferry, when the Colo- 
nel gave a shout of delight as he once more landed in Texas. 
My first impressions of the country were not pleasing. For 
twelve miles our way lay through a country heavily timbered 
and thickly interlaced with vines. A sandy soil, with, once in 
a while, a badly-managed farm and shabby log house, did not 
agree with my preconceived notions of the State; but after hav- 
ing traveled twelve miles, the landscape began to change. We 
reached high prairies, covered Avith luxuriant grass, and dotted 
with highly-cultivated plantations and beautiful groves. Immense 
herds of cattle were seen in every direction, and although this is 
not the chief grazing part of the State, there Avere many herds 
of horses, and flocks of sheep interspersed among the cattle. 
The soil is black and waxy, and no matter how much the roads 
are traveled they are never dusty, but become beaten down, like 
a cake of beesAvax; and this species of soil extends as far south 
as Austin. 

We passed through Sherman, a place of great commercial im- 
portance in Northern Texas, Avhich at that time bid fair to be a 
large city; and the next place we reached was Dallas, celebrated 
for its mills which produce the best flour in Texas. The staple 
of the surrounding country is wheat, the soil being peculiarly 



32 AT OUR journey's end. 

adapted to its culture. JNortbern Texas is settled almost exclu- 
sively by people from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the West ; and 
there is consequently more energy displayed in that section than 
in other portions of the State. 

We reached Mr. Johnston's house, twelve miles south of Dal- 
las, and were welcomed by his wife and daughter. They went 
out on the prairie to examine the stock; and as part of the 
horses had been represented as belonging to the estate of his 
wife's first husband, I naturally expected that the lady would 
recognize some of them, and call them by name, or otherwise 
particularly designate them ; but to my astonishment she seemed 
never to have seen any of them before. I now remembered our 
haste, and the Colonel's unaccountable excitement at times ; and 
I could not escape the conviction that I had helped to run off a 
drove of stolen horses. 

As ray contract was now up, the Colonel pressed me to con- 
tinue with him ; and his solicitations were cordially seconded by 
his wife and daughter; but as soon as I had secured a settlement 
with him, and received my money, I pushed on to Austin, where 
I expected to find employment as a printer. 



CHAPTER II. 

MY FIRST INDIAN CAMPAIGN. 

My expectations of finding employment as a printer, at 
Austin, were not realized, and I went back to Bell county, and 
turned my attention for a while to horse taming ; but it Avas 
not long before there was found more congenial employment for 
me. The Kiowa, Comanche, and Kickapoo Indians suddenly 
began to wage a most relentless and cruel warfare upon the 
frontier settlements. Their first act of barbarity was committed 
far down in the country, within a few miles of where I was em- 
ployed. About the 1st of May, 1859, a small detachment of 
Comanches appeared on the west side of Bell county, stole some 
horses, and drove a lance through the body of a little boy about 
twelve years of age ; the act being done in the presence of an 
agonized mother, and of sisters frantic with grief and fear. 
The Indians, after mocking their terrified actions, galloped away, 
laughing and sneering at their agony. The neighborhood was 
at once aroused, and a few men went in pursuit ; I, myself, con- 
stituting one of the party. The savages fled toward the moun- 
tains, at the head waters of the Colorado river ; and high up 
on the San Gabriel, we came in sight of them ; and at once the 
chase became so hot that the Indians " scattered," — always their 
last strategic resort. We only succeeded in finding one, a 
gigantic fellow, who had long been known on the frontier, and 
was recognized by some of the pursuing party, as a famous Ca- 
manche warrior, called Big Foot. True to his own manhood, he 
sustained his reputation as a wari'ior to the very last, and ceased 
to resist only as he fell into the rolling waters of the San 
Gabriel, pierced with more than a dozen bullets from trusty Texan 
rifles. His body was swept away by the swift running stream; 



34 ES'DIAN Ot'TRAGES. 

but his rifle, lance, and bow and arrows were captured, and di- 
vided out among the party as trophies. Big Foot was a giant 
in size and strength, being about seven feet high, and in all re- 
spects well proportioned; and his loss must have been severely 
felt by his tribe. 

Their next outrage worthy of note, was the capture of two 
benutiful young ladies, named Whitson, whose persons they brut- 
ally violated. The ladies were walking home from a neighbor's 
house, where they had been on a visit, when they were suddenly 
surrounded by twenty-five savages, who committed the fearful 
deed already indicated, and then carried them away into a cap- 
tivity a thousand times worse than death. 

They lived near Weatherford, on the Brazos river, and after cap- 
turing them, the Indians carried them far out on the Staked 
Plains, stripped them, and left them on the open prairie, without 
a morsel of food, or a drop of water, and far away from any 
civilized habitation. "When found they were lying beneath a 
little mesquit bush, locked in each other's arms, and quietly 
awaiting the approach of death. It was evident that they had 
been crazed by hunger, thirst, and cruel treatment, as their 
hands and arms were lacerated, as if they had struggled to tear 
the flesh from their own limbs. Luckily, we had a skillful surgeon 
and physician among our party, who immediately set about re- 
storing them. "We gave them liberally of our clothing and sewed 
blankets into skirts, so that they were soon as comfortable as 
could be expected. It was about two hours before sundown 
when vce discovered them on a high plain, between the waters of 
the Colorado and the Double Mountain fork of the Brazos ; and 
I do not think the}- could have survived more than thirty-six 
hours longer if left to themselves. 

We started that night and went a short distance, and in the 
morning began our journey to the settlements in earnest. On 
the Clear fork of the Brazos the party separated; those of us 
who belonged down the country taking the route to Gatesville, 
while the friends and neifrhbors of the girls made haste to restore 
them to their sorrow-stricken parents and family. It was some 



MORE INDIAN DEPREDATIONS. 37 

time before they were sufficiently recovered to tell us their heart- 
rending story. Although they expressed their gratitude in the 
most fervent manner, and their eyes beamed with delight at the 
prospect of being restored to their home, their features wore a 
sad expression ; and although we did all in our pov/er to revive 
their spirits while they were Avith us, they were never seen to 
smile. 

This outrage threw the whole frontier into a frenzy of excite- 
ment, and wherever the story of their wrongs was repeated, it 
enkindled a blaze of indignation which only the blood of the 
Comanche could quench. 

From this time every species of depredation became common. 
Horses were stolen; cattle shot; men, women, and children 
murdered, and their residences committed to the flames ; the 
mangled bodies being thrown within and consumed by the de- 
vouring element ; and to mnke matters worse, the people v»"ere 
unfortunately divided in sentiment, relative to which was the 
guilty tribe. One faction, led by the redoubtable John R. Bay- 
lor, ascribed the m.urders to the Reserve Indians of Texas ; 
notwithstanding the fact that these tribes were under the care 
and supervision of Major Neighbors, a careful, energetic, and 
strictly honest agent, who had the roll called frequently ; and no 
warriors were allowed to be absent from either of the two reser- 
vations without a written permission. 

Capt. Ross was the recognized leader of the other party, and 
contended stoutly for the innocence of the Reserve Indians, 
and alleged that the depredations were committed by the Co- 
manches. But the fact that Baylor had once been the agent of 
the upper, or Clear fork Reserves, caused his statements to be 
believed, and secured him numerous followers. Major Neigh- 
bors, the agent of the Reserve Indians, denounced him as a 
liar ; and this was the cause, and the only cause, of Baylor's 
warlike demonstration. Raising about four hundred men, he 
marched to the Lower Reserve, vowing vengeance at every step. 
He was met about a mile from the agency by a small body of 
3 



60 RANGERS CALLED OUT. 

Caddoes, Tonchues,* and Wacos, and a skirmish ensued, and Ba}"- 
lor was handsomely Avhipped, and compelled to retreat toward 
the Clear fork of the Brazos. His men then soon began to 
break up in squads, and scatter off — some to go home, others to 
hunt, while a few of the most daring ones pushed out after the 
wild Comanches. 

While these stirring events were transpiring, Governor Run- 
nellri was not idle. He hastily fitted out a squadron of rangers, 
under command of Capt. John Henry Brown, an energetic and. 
courageous man, who had had a wide experience in previous 
contests with the Indians, and was perfectly familiar with the 
frontier. This command was mustered at Belton, in Bell 
county, and left for the Indian country about the middle of June. 
I enlisted for six months, unless sooner discharged, and I pre- 
sume the others entered for the same term. 

Perhaps a description of our appearance Avill interest the 
reader. Imagine two hundred men dressed in every variety of 
costume, except the ordinary uniform, armed with double-bar- 
reled shot-guns, squirrel rifles, and Colt's six shooters, mounted 
on small, wiry, half wild horses, with Spanish saddles and iMexi- 
can spurs ; unshaven, unwashed, undisciplined, but brave and gen- 
erous men, riding pell-mell along roads, over the prairies, and 
throuo-h the woods, and you will be able to form a correct con- 
ception of a squad of Texan Rangers on the march. In such a 
band it is impossible to distinguish officers from privates, as 
the former have no distinct dress; and all act alike. 

Usually, we encamped in a hollow square, placing our tents 
at regular intervals around the outside. The horses were tied 
to stakes by a forty foot rope, and allowed to graze outside 
the camp until " retreat," when they were led inside, and the 
rope shortened. Guards were posted outside the tents, and at 
some distance off; while the horse guards were inside the 
square. From Belton, we started in the direction of Gates- 
ville, going up Cow House creek, and crossing the Owl creek 



♦ Pronounced, Tonc-oo-a. 



ADVENTURE "WITU A. PANTHER. 89 

mountains. Encamping on Owl creek, \>'e disposed ourselves 
for the night, and felt felicitated at the prospect of several 
hours' rest after a hard day's travel; but our hopes were falla- 
cious. 

At about two o'clock in the morning, when all were wrapped 
in deep slumber — the previous quiet having been perfect — a^o 
were suddenly aroused by a terrific scream ; the horses surged, 
and pranced around their stakes, their eyes glittering, and their 
nostrils distended, while they made the air reverberate with 
sharp piercing snorts of rage and fear. It became evident that 
an enemy of no mean pretensions was upon us; and the men, 
springing to their guns, at once prepared for a defense. For 
perhaps five minutes the camp was hushed and still ; then again 
that fearful shriek rang out, and a large panther sprang from a 
tree almost over the Captain's tent, seized a piece of raw beef, 
which lay convenient, and was off with his booty so suddenly, 
that not a shot was fired. The animal was so large and power- 
ful, that although the beef weighed at least thirty pounds, yet 
its flight was not in the least impeded. After indulging in a 
hearty laugh, and numerous speculations as to how the animal 
passed the guards unobserved, quiet was restored in the camp; 
and while most of the men ao;ain resigned themselves to slum*- 
ber, the old hunters gathered in groups around the camp-fires, 
" spinning yarns," and relating remarkable adventures with 
" pantcr," " bar," and catamount, till daylight. 

On the following day we passed through Gatesville, and en- 
camped on the north side of town. The inhabitants insisted on 
presenting us with cakes, and pies, in lavish profusion, siniply 
because, as one old man expressed it, Avhile dealing out a basket 
full : '• yourc gwine whar you Avont git no more soon." From 
Gatesville, our route lay through the " Cross Timbers," to the 
Red fork of the Brazos. VYe hunted deer, wild turkeys, and 
musk hogs ; fished in the little streams on the route ; had bull- 
fights at almost every camp ; had horse-races, foot-races, and 
all sorts of sports ; had plenty to eat and irink ; and, in short, 
a good time generally. 



10 ■\A'ARLIKE PREPARATIONS. 

About the Stli of July, "we reacbeJ tlie C;uUloe village, ami 
encamped at a famous chalybeate spring, the waters of v.hich 
are slightlv tinctured with salt. It was some time before we 
could reconcile ourselves to the drinking of salt water, but as it 
was all that was to be had, we were compelled to come to it. 
After we had pitched our tents, I was detailed with a squad of 
fifteen, to accompany Captain Brown to the agency, where ho 
had orders to report. 

After scrambling over a very high mountain, and getting a 
horse killed, and a man accidently shot in the leg, we came in 
sight of the agency, where everything appeared to be in a high 
state of excitement Captain Ross, the sub-agent, and Captain 
Plummer, commanding the United States regulars, at the post, 
had mistaken us for Baylor's men, and had accordingly prepared 
for a vigorous defense. The Indians Avere mustered in the rear 
of the regulars, who were drawn up in line, so as to command 
the approaches to the palisade fort ; while two pieces of artillery, 
loaded with grape, were placed so as t« sweep the road, by 
which we Avere approaching, and a small body of cavalry stood 
prepared to distinguish itself, whenever opportunity oifered. 
AVe held on the even tenor of our way, until arriving within 
short pistol range, when the troops were dismissed, and all 
gathered around us, to know who we were, where we came from, 
what we were going to do, and Zfow we were going to do it? 
They were glad to see us, and treated us with every kindness. 
AVhen Captain Brown explained his business to the Indians, and 
told them he had orders to whip Baylor off and away from their 
country, they were so delighted, that the}^ could scarcely find 
words or means to express their joy. The chiefs of the different 
tribes crowded around the Captain, followed by their principal 
warriors, and in their eloquent sign language, and in broken 
English, expressed their friendship, as manifestly, as the most 
polished plu-ases could have portrayed it. 

This was the Lower Reserve — the upper manifesting a different 
temper. Their head chief, Katampsie, possessed a warlike dis- 
position. Exceedingly suspicious in all his deal'ngs with the 



A SCOUT. 41 

whites, and crafty as a fox, he was not so easily satisfied of our 
good intentions. He was at a loss to understand how one por- 
tion of the people of Texas should want to wage war on him, 
while another party, claiming to be the troops of the governor, 
should come professing friendship to the Indians, and hostilities 
to the white men, who had recently paid him a visit. He knew, 
find recognized no authority but the United States, and his own 
free will. When, therefore, he was informed that we Avere 
ordered to shoot any of his warriors found off the reservation, 
he regarded us as open enemies, and he himself was the first to 
set our authority at defiance. 

After the first interview, we went back to our camp at the 
Caddoe village. A fcAV days afterward, Lieut. Tob. Carmack, 
Avith twelve men Avas sent up the Clear fork of the Brazos, Avith 
orders to scour the river bottom, in every direction, to see that 
none of the Avild Comanches were lurking in the thick timber 
along the river — a very dangerous service ; and we had orders 
not to fire a shot in any emergency, unless at an Indian. 

After scouting the country a considerable time, we discovered 
signs of Indians, of a nature to lead us to believe that Ave were 
in the vicinity of a considerable force of Comanche, or Kiowa 
warriors. We struck the trail just before night, and conse- 
quently had but little daylight by Avhich to folloAv it ; and Ave 
consequently left it, and went down near the river bank to 
encamp. We tied our horses in a well concealed place, and es- 
tablished ourselves in a strongly defensive position, by the side 
of a bluff, on the second bank of the river, and kindled but a 
single small fire, to favor the guard, Avho had to watch both 
camps, and horses ; after Avhich Ave laid doAvn to sleep, I came 
on guard, as the first relief, and Old Sharp as the second ; and 
I was also to stand the last relief, in place of a young man avIio 
Avas sick ; so that the guard duty for that night fell exclusively 
on Old Sharp and myself. Sharp was an experienced hunter 
and Avoodsman, and had had many an encounter Avi'-h the In- 
dians. He Avas social and lively, and about forty years of age ; 
Avell built, Avith dark, keen eyes, black hair, and of swarthy com- 



42 REFLECTIONS. 

plexion, with wiry frame ; he was active and brave, and he re- 
ceived the name of " Old Sharp,'' not on account of age, but 
because of his expression and quaint manner. Never was the 
camp safer from surprise, than when he stood sentineh 

Time wore on slowly that night, as it is a lonely task to stand 
guard, in the depths of the trackless forests of the southwest, 
with no sound reaching the ear, except the twitter of the night 
bird, the hoot of the owl, the occasional sighing of a tired 
horse, or the breathing of one's Avearied companions. Perhaps 
the sentinel, at such a time, may find that his thoughts have left 
him, and are wandering aAvay amid more pleasant scenes — by 
chance reveling Avith delighted friends, or lingering around loved 
ones at home, Avho anxiously await his tardy coming. It is a 
cruel thing, when one is lost in sweet reverie, to be recalled 
to a sense of his isolated and dangerous situation, by the melan- 
choly howl of a Avolf, the agonized screaming of the panther, or, 
as is often the case, by the muffled sound of moccasined feet, 
stealing around him. Not unfrequently is the sentinel first 
made aware of the danger Avhich surrounds him, by the sharp 
twang of the boAvstring, and the plunging of an arroAv deep into 
his flesh. I had become Avearied with Avatching on this night, 
and my mind Avas lost in a dreamy reverie ; I had done my best 
to pierce the gloom of the forest Avitli my eye, in order to detect 
the slightest movement ; I had listened to every sound, Avith an 
eagerness, Avhich those Avho have stood sentinel, and have hail 
the lives of hundreds of their companions entrusted to their 
care, can readily comprehend ; I saw around me the sleeping 
forms of my companions, and felt, and kncAv, that upon my 
Avatchfulness, and fidelity, depended their safety, and their lives. 
My time had passed aAvay slowly enough. Not an unAvonted 
sound had broken in upon the solemn stillness of the night ; and 
at length, when my time had expired, I Avent to arouse Old 
Sharp ; but had scarcely touched him, when a loud rattling of 
rocks at the Avater edije, brought him to his feet instantaneoush'. 
"What's that?" said he, in a Avhispcr, "Horse loose, I reckon," 
Avas my reply, in an undertone, and leaving Sharp on guard, I 



ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAK. 43 

slipped down to the river bank, Avhicli was here about eight feet 
high, and perpendicular. I was advancing rapidly, with my 
left hand raised before me, to protect my f\ice from overhanging 
boughs, and my right on the stock of my "Navy Six," when the 
sound of rattling rocks was repeated, but I failed to detect the 
hard ring of horses' hoofs, and I therefore at once concluded an 
Indian was secreted in the vicinity. I was going rapidly tovrard 
the sound, Avhich, in turn, seemed to approach me, when I suddenly 
stepped over the bank down on the hard rocks, and found myself 
confronted by a full grown black bear ; indeed, I had almost 
fallen on his head. 

I sprang to my feet without delay, and drew my pistol as 
quickly as possible, but it was too late. Just as I regained my 
feet, the bear reared upon his hind legs, bellowed piteously with 
fright, almost turned a back summersault, and then fled precipi- 
tately across the shoal, and into the thickets on the opposite bank 
of the river. 

Returning to Sharp, he wanted to know what the " row " was, 
and I informed him that it was a bear that had made the noise. 
"Yes, yes," he replied, "but I allowed you had knifed the 'cuss,' 
from the way he ' bellered.' " This was the first time I thought 
of my knife, though I then carried a splendid Bowie knife 
in my belt. The bear had awaked some of the men by his bel- 
lowing, but as soon as they discovered that no harm had been 
done, and that the "varmint"' had made his escape, they lazily 
rolled themselves up in their blankets and slept again. 

Sharp was fully aroused by this little incident, but was not 
at all pleased that I had suffered the "bar" to escape. "You 
had oughter have knifed him," he insisted ; but I was satisfied 
to let the bear off with Uncle Toby's address to the fly: "go, 
poor devil, the world is big enough for me and thee." 

Old Sharp now seated himself on the ranger's chair, that is, 
an inverted saddle, and I took a seat beside him, to see what 
would turn up next, or if our nocturnal friend would pay us an- 
other visit. The little affair at once roused in Old Sharp's mind 
the recollection of many a scene, and hair-breadth escape, and 



44 DANGER HERE. 

lie went on to relate several adventures of his own, with "bar;" 
our conversation, of course, being carried on in a whisper ; and 
he concluded his narratives with : " but la, hoy, the bars a'in't 
savage in this country like ' they are furder north ; they git 
plenty to eat in the southern country, but furder north, 'specially 
in the winter season, when pressed with hunger, they git terri- 
bly severe." 

By the time he had concluded his stories, I was too sleepy to 
continue the confab, so I picked out a good place by the side of 
an old log, where there were plenty of dry leaves, for a bed, and 
laid down to sleep, although I was some distance from the re- 
mainder of the party. I had been asleep some time, when I felt 
a sense of closeness or Avarmness, and woke up ; and judge my 
surprise on finding myself entirely covered up with the leaves, 
and I felt Sharp's hand upon me, at the same moment. 
" Come, my boy," said he, " there is danger here." 
In an instant I was on my feet, rifle in hand, ready for any 
emergency. "Injuns?" I asked. 

"Look thar," said he, pointing to a dark object, slowly re- 
treating into the shadows of the timber. 

Instantly I brought my rifle to bear upon it, when Sharp laid 
his hand on my shoulder, saying, in a whisper, 

" Stop, boy, thar's Injuns about, and ye musn't shoot." 
At this moment, the animal turned around, and came back a 
few paces toward us, stopped with one fore foot partially raised, 
and glared upon us in an apparently mingled rage and astonish- 
ment. Sharp only tightened his grip on my shoulder, and 
whispered : 

" Look him right straight in the eyes, boy." 
Instinctively I did as I was ordered ; never moving a muscle, 
but gazing straight into those two great, fiery eyeballs. "We 
stood thus for perhaps twenty seconds, when the animal, putting 
its foot softly to the ground, stepped half a dozen paces toward 
us, and stooped upon its hinder legs for a moment, while its 
tail moved gracefully to and fro. It eyed us thus for perhaps 
five seconds, then turned itself and airain retreated into the 



INDIANS DISCOVERED. 45 

depths of the forest, looking back as it ^vent, until it got a con- 
siderable distance from us, when it uttered a scream so loud and 
shrill, that it echoed through the woods like the shriek of a ter- 
rified woman, except that it was louder than the human voice. It 
v.-as a panther of the largest size ; and as it disappeared. Old 
Sharp relaxed his grasp upon my shoulder, saying slowly : 

" I thought that varmint war about to give us some trouble. 
Pick up your blanket, boy, and come up where we kin see the 
horses, thar's danger here ; thar's Injuns in these woods. I've 
bin oneasy for some time ; wake up t'other chap if you're 
sleepy, we must have two men out at onct." 

I declined, however, to awaken the sick man, who, though an 
agreeable companion and a good soldier, was in too feeble health 
to endure the fatigues of so rugged a service. I then informed 
Sharp that I was willing to stand with him till morning; and 
from that time till daylight nothing occurred to further disturb 
the camp. 

Early next morning Ave dispatched our breakfast, mounted our 
horses and again struck out on the trail, keeping a good lookout 
for Indians. It was scarcely half an hour after sunrise when 
we descried a faint smoke curling up through the timber on the 
river bottoms, but apparently not in the direction in-which Ave 
■were traveling. Leaving the trail, we moved directly toward the 
smoke at a charge; and as Ave entered the timber, Ave could see 
ten or a dozen Indians spring up from the ground, rifles in hand, 
the whole party scampering off toward a thicket some distance 
aAvay. There was no chance to cut them off from the thicket 
before they could enter it ; but Ave kept up the charge until Ave 
had come within two hundred yards of it, A\'hen we received a 
pretty well-directed volley from behind the bushes. We then 
hastened to surround the thicket as quickly as possible ; but 
while Ave Avere doing this, the savages mounted their horses, and 
charged out upon and over us, I might almost say, for Ave had 
deployed too far to be able to rally in time to prevent it. 

Lieut. Carmack rallied his men and made preparations for a 
pursuit. We had discharged a portion of our yagers and pistols 



46 EXTRACTING AN ARROAY. 

in the melee, which had to be reloaded ; and one of our men had 
received a wound in the arm from an arrow, and two horses had 
been hurt in the charge. It was a short job to extract the ar- 
rows from the horses, though thej fought and kicked frantically; 
but not so with the man. Carmack tried to pull the arrow out, 
but it was no go. Next Sharp proposed to try it ; he had had 
some experience in such matters, having been wounded more 
than once with arrows in his time. Opening his hands, he took 
the arrow between his palms and began rolling and lifting it, at 
the same time. The wounded man whose name was Williams, 
sat still on a log and endured the torture heroically. It lasted 
a full minute — this rolling and twisting — before the dull arrow 
had cut its way out of the flesh. His success so elated Sharp, 
that he held it up triumphantly, saying : 

" Thar, now, I told you so ; ef ^-ou'd a pulled ogin on that 
arrer, you'd a did the business for that arm. Do you see that?'* 
he continued, pointing to where the arrow was bent against the 
bone ; " now the wonder is, that the spike hadn't a come out the 
fust pull you made." 

Hastily bandaging Williams' arm, we mounted and commenced 
the pursuit. The Indians had headed directly for the Upper 
Resetve, now about twelve miles distant. We pursued till we 
were satisfied they belonged to Katampsie's band of Reserve 
Comanches, when turning, w"e struck out on our return to the 
Caddoe village. While passing through the settlements we 
W'cre informed of a great many petty outrages committed by 
both Reserves, since their fight with Baylor's party. At one 
place they had robbed a man's dwelling ; at another, thrown 
down the fences, and rode through and trampled down whole 
fields of corn ; one man had been robbed of a fine mare; several 
watermelon patches had been plundered ; and in one of the 
last-named oiienses, we chanced to catch a party; but they 
mounted their horses and were quickly off. Not content with 
what they could eat, each man had some sort of a sack, and 
some of them, two or three, all filled with melons. As they fled 
we closed in on them at a charge, but our horses were tired. 



A CHASE. 47 

and no match for their fresh ponies. "When the pursuit -was at 
its hight, they hastily cut their sacks loose from their saddles 
and dropped them on the trail. 

Not desiring to provoke hostilities "with the Lower Reserve, 
to ■which these Indians belonged, "we did not fire upon them ; 
nor did they attempt to fire upon us. They perfectly umler- 
stood our orders ^vhenever found oif their Reserves ; but they 
evidently did not fear us much, for when they were high up on 
the mountain, one of them turned in his saddle and shouted 
back : 

"White man's hoss no good; Injun's boss heap good: white 
man no catch um. You go home; hoss heap sick; me see um." 
Then, with a loud laugh, he pressed on with his companions. 
Carmack did not fancy following them into the mountain, for 
there were at least thirty of them ; and they would have been 
more than a match for us, if they assumed a hostile attitude. 
We dismounted here and helped ourselves to the captured mel- 
ons and encamped near b}^ for the night. We procured miik 
from the settlers in the vicinity ; and the women brought us 
warm bread, fresh butter, etc., which proved a great treat, as 
we had been living for some days on meat alone. 

On the following day we rode back to the Caddoe village and 
once more found everything in excitement ; the cause being a 
report to the effect that the wild Comanches had come down on 
the Lower Reserve and stolen seventy-five head of horses, and 
then made good their escape. Captain Brown, with as many of 
his men as could be spared, and a large force of regulars and 
friendly Indians, were soon on the trail, while a party of us that 
were left, had nothing to do but to rest ourselves and horses 
until they returned. 

About the first of August, Captain Brown sent Captain Know- 
lin to the fork, with similar orders given to Lieut. Carmack, viz : 
to fire on any of Katampsie's band who might be found off" their 
reservation. We had the usual amount of sport all the way up 
the Brazos, killing deer, turkeys and antelope in abundance, 
together with a venerable bear, so old she was nearly toothless. 



48 INDIAN FIGHT. 

Wc saw 110 Indian signs until y\-e got -svitbin about three miles of 
the Reserve line on the east, -when ^ye -were suddenly attacked 
■while at dinner, by about ninety Conianches. Our horses Avere 
concealed in a thicket near by, and -were not discovered by the 
Indians at all, or it 'U'ould have been impossible for us to have 
saved them. We were seated round in a rinor with our smokingr 
mess pans filled wuth stewed venison, in the center, Avhen we 
were suddenly startled by the long, fierce war-hoop, and look- 
ing up, we saw a large party of Comanches in full war paint and 
costume, each with every feather that his vanity, or the custom 
of his tribe would prompt or allow him to wear, streaming in the 
wind, while their horses were literally bedizzened with paint 
and silver plate. The warriors' shields and clothing were like- 
wise spangled all over with silver; but we had no time to enjoy 
this splendid array of barbaric pomp, although it was one pos- 
sessed of fearful interest to us. 

"When we first discovered them they were under full headway, 
coming around a point of timber; and the next instant they 
came down upon us at a charge. We had barely time to seize 
our rifles, which were l^nng beside us, and spring to the side of 
a house near by, when they sent a shower of arrows among us. 
We delivered a hasty but Avell directed volley as we ran, and 
emptied seven of their saddles. Staggered and annoyed at 
resistance from so small a party, they circled away to a safe 
distance, reformed and charged down upon us again ; this time 
sweeping around us in a complete circle and getting between us 
and our horses. But their arrows flew among us harmlessly, 
while five more of the assailants fell from our well directed fire. 
But they were not yet defeated, and returned upon us a third 
time. We were then ordered to aim at their horses, and I think 
the bullet of every man must have taken efl'cct, and some must 
have got two shots, for we killed fifteen horses, and there were 
but thirteen of us in our part3^ 

The Indians now circled away out of sight, around the point 
of timber where we had first observed them, and did not return. 
Presently we saw a runner start for the village at full speed, 



FIGHT THEM. 49 

and in about half an hour we could see squaws and boys carry- 
ing guns and shot pouches to the Indians in the timber. Seeing 
this the Lieutenant inquired : 

"What do you say, boys, shall we fight with them?" 

"Fiffht them," was the answer on all sides. 

We had a hope of being relieved by the regulars from Camp 
Cooper, and this, with our recent success, made us confident of 
victory. By this time we could see the Indians filing around the 
point of timber and approaching us on foot, in the fullest confi- 
dence. They moved on toward us until nearly within rifle range, 
when they went down into a deep ravine, which ran nearly in a 
half circle around the house, and about one hundred and eighty 
yards distant from it. It was evident from their deliberate move- 
ments, that they intended to make sure work of it this time, even 
if it was slow. For my part, I could almost feel the scalp 
slip on my head. The savages followed down the ravine and 
were soon within short range, and began to peep over the bank 
at us. We kept a close watch but did not fire a gun, for we 
were expecting a charge. We kept ourselves well sheltered by 
the corners of the house, while the Indians hugged the bank. 
Presently the report of a rifle was heard in the ravine, which 
was followed by a volley, almost as well delivered as if fired by 
disciplined soldiers. Then was heard the war-whoop, and the 
fire became general, but irregular — each man loading and shoot- 
in o- as fast as possible. We only discharged our rifles when we 
saw a sure mark, always taking care that not more than two or 
three pieces were fired at a time, holding our loaded guns and 
pistols ready to receive a charge; but it did not come, and the 
Indians, after keeping up a desultory firing for an hour and a 
half, struck out for their village, carrying with them their dead 
and wounded. 

It was apparent that they had been expecting us, their horses 
being ornamented and feathered with great care. Their own 
faces were also elaborately painted, and they were decked out in 
their most fanciful war dress. After they dismounted they 
fought us with Mississippi rifles ; and, as evidence of the skill 



50 REI^'FORCEME^^TS se^:t for. 

with which they Avere handled, it is only necessary to state that 
over fourteen hundred bullets struck the house, and perhaps as 
many rcore whistled disagreeably near to it. As there were no 
loop holes in the house, we were compelled to fight around the 
corners, which prevented us from doing as much execution as 
we otherwise Avould have done; but with all this, the savages 
were severely punished, as we counted eighteen litters taking off 
dead and wounded, and found, beside, three corpses which they 
had been unable to carry away. 

As soon as they commenced leaving we began to fear they 
would be reinforced and return, and we immediately dispatched 
a young man named Gus Sublett, for the Caddoe village for more 
men. He was a manly fellow, and would do as he promised — 
go ihrovgh or die! We immediately began to put the house in 
a good state of defense, cutting loop holes on every side, and 
covering the roof with raw hides, to prevent it from being 
fired by burning arrows. We had two men badly wounded 
who claimed considerable attention, as they suffered severely; 
one of them, Patrick O'Brien, having received a ball in his hip, 
and the other, whose name was Terry, had been shot in the calf 
of the leg. 

After tvrenty-eight hours our reinforcements arrived, when we 
felt a perfect ability to hold our own; but we were not attacked; 
the Indians remaining on the Reserve Avithout any further admo- 
nitions. I do not know that the savages Avould have left off 
where they did, had it not been for the intervention of Major 
Liepcr, their agent, who appeared on the ground just after the 
fight was over; and, on our promise to cease firing, rode over 
and had a pow wow with Katampsie, in which the latter ex- 
pressed a willingness to " quit and call it even," provided we 
would do the same; but Captain Knowlin insisted that Katampsie 
should give us six sacks of flour and two hundred pounds of 
bacon, as "blood money;" and to this he agreed, but refused to 
let more than three of our men go into his village after it. 

The Indians then gathered up their fallen braves and returned 
in sullen silence to their village; but that silence Avas not long 



BLOODMONEY.^ 51 

maintained, for their women speedily began to " howl" the dead. 
This is a regular ceremony among them, at which, in addition 
to outbursts of grief and exclamations of sorrow from relatives 
and friends of the deceased, all the old crones of the tribe join 
in howling over the remains, xin Indian " wake" is a noisy con- 
cern — especially if the deceased is a man of note. A Avife crops 
her hair off, even around her neck, and scarifies her breasts, 
arms, and thighs, as a token of mourning for her husband ; and 
a daughter undergoes similar manipulations on the death of her 
father. The scarifying knife is fixed in the end of a stick, so as 
to guage the cut to a certain depth, generally well through the 
skin, in order to form a tolerably broad scar. Although the 
process is a severe one, they not only readily endure it, but use 
the knife on themselves. 

On the day following the fight Sterling White, Sublett, and 
myself went into the villnge after our "blood money." When 
Katampsie saw us coming he sprang to his feet, vowing ven- 
geance. The old fellow had several squavrs about his tent, who, 
I suppose were his wives, as they all seized hold of him and held 
him tightly as soon as they saw us prepare to defend ourselves. 
The chief raved and tore, jumped up and down, and cursed us in 
Spanish, finally worrying the women down till they were obliged 
to turn him loose; when, instead of carrying out his threats, he 
quietly sat down on a dilapidated cracker box, folded his arms 
across his breast, and appeared for some time lost in meditation. 

Again we pressed our demand, when he arose, and in com- 
pany with some of his leading warriors, went with us to Major 
Lieper, and requested him to fill our requisition from the gov- 
ernment stores, which was promptly done, and we left the inhos- 
pitable village for camp, well satisfied that Katampsie's warriors 
were not inclined to back their chief in his hostile intentions 
toward the whites. 

A small force was left to patrol the country up and down, to 
see that the Indians obeyed orders, while the remainder of our 
party returned to the camp at the Caddoe village. The men at 
the upper agency were left under charge of Captain Knowlin, 



52 LONELY JOURNEY. 

while Captain Bro-wn, ■s\itli the main force, Avent down the country 
to guard the more exposed settlements. 

While we were near the Caddoe village, a reliable citizen came 
into our camp and reported having seen a considerable force of 
Indians on Rock creek, a little over twenty miles distant. Judg- 
ing- from the intelligence received as to the number of warriors, 
Captain Brown thought it prudent to prepare for a defense of 
"his camp rather than to start in pursuit. ^Ye were out of ammu- 
nition ; and to procure a supply, it was necessary for some one 
to go to Belknap, twenty-two miles distant, and it fell to my lot 
to be the messenger. It was by no means a pleasant task, partly 
because the weather was exceedingly hot, but especially because 
all the Indians in that region had come to look upon the Rangers 
as enemies. I passed through the agency, and as long as I was 
near the regulars I felt perfectly safe; but was a little doubtful 
as to personal safety outside of their jurisdiction. About half 
way between the agency and Belknap, in going around a short 
turn in the road, I met sixteen warriors riding along at a walk. 
Instantly the foremost of them strung their bows and unslung 
their quivers; but I rode deliberately and boldly up, till within 
the length of a lance of them, when one of them made signs for 
me to stop, which I did. Four of them tried to ride behind me, 
but having seen them string their bows, I refused to let them 
pass; at the same time throwing my horse around so that a 
gigantic forest tree covered my back. 

They affected not to understand me, when I drew my pistol 
from my belt, and said to them in Mexican, '■'■parreti, amigos .'" '^ 
and immediately they stopped, with a cunning laugh, and turned 
to their chief, as if awaiting orders. The Chief, whose name I 
learned was Placido, and who v.as afterward my firm friend, 
seemed to regard me with suspicion. Eyeing me from head to 
foot, he asked me some questions in his own tongue ; but I told 
him I did not understand him ; but he went on, delivering a 
lengthy discourse, still speaking in Indian ; and seemed to re- 

* "Stop, friends." 




.^..||v^ry^^i 



A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. 55 

gard me "vvith an air that said, "I know very well what I am 
saying, and you must understand it." 

I now said in Mexican — "«o enfiende" — I don't understand. 
He then looked at me, for some time, and inquired my name, 
speaking in Mexican, and I told him my patronimic. He then 
accused me of being a Texan and an enemy. I understood him 
now perfectly ; his eyes fairly blazed with malicious an- 
ger, as I deliberately eyed him from head to foot. I began to 
think it was a mixed case as to whether or not I passed further 
inspection. The savages stood around me, in a half circle, 
seemingly determined to know, for certain, all about me ; and 
at the same time, the lack of a medium to convey ideas, ren- 
dered our situation peculiarly embarrassing, particularly as 
they had already begun to show unmistakable signs of hostility. 
They held a short consultation in their own tongue, after which 
the Chief again asked me my name, speaking in Mexican. I 
again favored him with it, but it was evidently not the informa- 
tion he sought ; and he hesitated a moment as if to recall some 
forgotten word, when he said : 

"Donde vienne usted ?" (where do you come from ?) 

Without hesitation, I answered, "From Fort Arbuckle." 

"Por donde vamos ?" (where are you going ?) he continued. 

"To Fort Belknap," was my answer. 

"Que quiere alia?" he persisted in inquiring. 

I told him I had a "big letter" for Captain Thompson, from 
Captain Plummer, and that I was a United States soldier, and 
not a Texan ; and that I was friendly to them so long as they 
were friendly to the United States soldiers ; and this being de- 
livered in a very earnest manner, and tolerable lingo, made some 
impression ; for, pointing to my drawn pistol, he indicated a desire 
to have it returned to its scabbard. I pointed to their bows, 
and intimated that I wanted them returned to their quivers. 
They looked at one another, and laughed, and then unstrung 
their bows, while I, at the same time, put my pistol in my belt. 

After expressing great love for the United States soldiers, 
and undying hatred to all Texans, they bid me "Adios," and 
4 



56 HORRID DEPRAVITY. 

galloped away ; not, however, until they had bantered me for a 
horse race and a horse "swap." I watched them till they had 
disappeared, and then resumed my journey. I got through all 
right, and with my ammunition and carts, returned to Caddoe 
Tillage. 

On my way back, I heard most piercing cries of pain, near an 
Indian camp ; and as it was quite dark, I approached as nearly 
as possible, in order to discover whence it proceeded. Riding 
cautiously, and keeping on soft ground, I approached within one 
hundred and fifty yards of a large fire, from which the shrieks 
appeared to emanate, when I discovered about forty warriors in 
a circle around a tree to which a prisoner was tied. From his 
appearance, I took him to be a Comanche ; and his captors were 
trying his manhood by threshing him with a raw-hide rope. Bis 
sufferings were excruciating ; and, the crackling fire was built so 
as to throw out a strong heat on his lacerated back. He was 
greatly exhausted when I saw him, and he was not bearing him- 
self with that stoicism which the Indian is supposed to possess. 
He was probably put to death that night. His captors were ex- 
ceedingly grave, and quiet, during the short time I watched 
them ; not one moving from his place except the one who ap- 
plied the lash. 

The victim had probably ventured too far, while following the 
avocation of a Comanche warrior, viz. : horse sterling, and had 
fallen into the hands of the Philistines, who, although they them- 
selves might not set a better example, were determined to con- 
vince the unlucky one that it was a great crime to be caught. 
Fearing that, if discovered, I might become more than a disinter- 
ested spectator of the scene, and not relishing the idea of as- 
sisting the prisoner in playing his particular role, I rode away 
as quietly as I approached, and put out for our camp, in a hur- 
ry. Residents of a civilized country will find it difficult to believe 
that I witnessed this scene within three miles of the agency, and 
tluit the actors were Delawares, who have been for years under the 
supervision of the United States authorities ; yet the statement 
is as true as it is lamentable. 



C H A P T E R III 

MOKE ADVENTURE — MUSTERED OUT. 

The people on the frontier became daily more and more in- 
censed against the Indians ; and although they knew the govern- 
ment intended to remove them at the earliest practicable mo- 
ment, to the head waters of the False Washita river, it required 
the utmost vigilance to keep citizens off the Reserves and the 
Indians on them. At length the preparations for the removal 
were complete, and on the loth of August, 1859, the march to 
the Washita agency began. The alTiiir was superintended ex- 
clusively by United States troops, under command of Major Geo. 
11. Thomas, now Major General Thomas, who managed matters 
in an able manner, and gave complete satisfaction to the people 
of the frontier. Every warrior was compelled to be present and 
answer to his name, at roll call, in the same manner as the 
regular soldiers ; and in this Avay, very few had an opportunity 
to drop out and lay back, to wreak private vengeance on the 
settlers ; nevertheless, fearing that some might escape the vig- 
ilance of the regulars, we had orders to follow up, and arrest or 
kill any Indian found straggling more than three miles to the 
rear of the column. We had but little to do except e.xercise 
vigilance. One adventure, however, shows the partiality of the 
Indian for horse-flesh. We discovered a party of horsemen, one 
day, at a distance from us, and near the west bank of the Trin- 
ity river. We Avere on rising ground, and they had not dis- 
covered us, and we therefore hastily withdrew and took down 
the river under cover of the timber, directly toward them ; they 
were on one side of the river and we on the other. There Avcre 
ten or a dozen of them, and were apparently leading more 
horses than they were riding. We rode on till within about a 
mile of the party, when we could plainly discern that they were 



58 A PURSUIT. 

Indians, and immediately we gave chase. Our horses were put 
to their best speed, and we rapidly gained on the savages. One 
by one their led horses were turned loose, while the "quirt"'^ was 
mercilessly used to those they were riding. Soon their baggage 
was cut loose and left on the trail to facilitate their escape ; and 
after this the Indians made much better time, and it became, for 
a while, about an even race, we neither gaining nqr losing any- 
thing ; when at length the Indians began to scatter, with a view 
to keeping out of our way till night, when they hoped to escape. 
Two of their horses were evidently badly wearied, and were 
rapidly "giving out;" and, therefore, Jack Anderson and myself 
singled them out and followed them, till they abandoned the 
animals, which they did in the mouth of the rocky gorge which 
led up into a mountain. The savages were about a quarter of a 
mile ahead of us, and consequently when we reached the spot, 
they were already far up the side of the mountain, which was 
almost inaccessible; and seeing thit it would be impossible to 
overtake them, we caught the abandoned horses and started for 
our rendezvous on the Little AYashita river. "We were much 
wearied, having run our horses, as Ave afterward discovered, 
about thirty-two miles. AVe had a rough time finding our way 
through a strange country to an unknown place during the 
ni<i"ht; but it was accomplished. We found about one-half of 
the command assembled on our arrival. 

A small detachment was sent out to scout through the country 
in the rear of the Indians as far as Red river crossing, while the 
remainder lay encamped on the Little Washita, up which stream 
wc reconnoitered till we reached its head. We then proceeded 
across to the head-waters of the Brazos, near the junction of the 
Double Mountain fork, where we encamped in an old, deserted 
cabin on the waters of the Red fork, picketing our horses on 
short rope, and putting out a strong guard, for we had been fol- 
io vving a trail all day which seemed to be about two days old. 
During the night we were once more visited by a panther, which 

<'A short, heavy riding whip, with a bone or iron handle 



ENCOUNTER WITH A PANTHER. 59 

got in among our horses, and made them perfectly frantic with 
fear, I was on guard at the time, and as it passed very near 
me I was in nearly the same condition as the animals. As it was 
between myself and the camp, I dare not shoot without dano-er 
of hurting either the men or horses, so that I was obliged to let 
it pass. It walked along very slowly and deliberately, appa- 
rently inspecting each horse separately; when presently, as if 
satisfied in its own mind on some important point, it turned and 
trotted out over my beat, eyeing me suspiciously all the time. 
It made for the timber, and when it got about thirty yards from 
where I stood, I blazed away with my shot-gun, which was 
charged with heavy buckshot. The panther bounded into the 
air, and as it again reached the ground, it whirled its head 
around, and bit its side, at the same time uttering most doleful 
screams. Knowing that I had done a rash thing in wounding 
it in the night, I was considering the propriety of " falling back 
on the reserve," when it suddenly seemed to comprehend mj 
intentions, and started for me. I now saw that there was no 
chance for retreat. He cleared nearly half the distance which 
separated us at the first bound. Quick as thought I brouo-ht 
down my gun to fire the other barrel ; but before I had time to 
pull, half a dozen guns cracked near me, and the panther once 
more bounded in the air, and fell again to the earth in the ao-o- 
nies of death. This was the first time I thought of the camp. 
The men in it, having heard my shot, rushed out ready for any 
emergency. I was considerably relieved when I saw the panther 
fall, but fearing lest he might rise again, I fired my remaining 
load into his side. Some of the men brought a chunk of fire, 
and we examined the body, and found it literally riddled with 
shot. The animal was both large and old. 

This was during the last relief, and as daylight was near at 
hand, the men did not again go to bed, and I was accordingly 
relieved from watch, and I determined to pay my respects to 
some turkeys which I had heard for some time "ffobblincr" io 
the distance. Following the direction of the sound I came to a 
tree on the bank of a creek, and about three quarters of a mile 



GO AFTER GLORY. 

from camp. Its branches were literally covered by turkeys — 
the number being not less than forty or fifty. I fired and 
brought down two, and was tying their feet together, when in 
tiie distance I heard a yell as if from a single Indian. Now, 
thought I, here 's for glory; I'm in for a single-handed fight, 
and off I started in the direction of the sound, taking good care 
to scrutinize every place that could conceal a foe. I advanced 
rapidly, but cautiously, for nearly a mile when again the shrill 
whoop rang out, but apparently as far off as ever, and in the 
same direction. But this time the yell was answered, and by at 
least thirty voices. This was decidedly more than I had bar- 
gained for ; it was a perfect extinguisher upon my desire to dis- 
tinguish myself, and my ambition for a single-handed fight gave 
Ttay to apprehensions for personal safety. I felt certain of my 
ability to fight and kill one Indian, but I did not care to engage a 
greater number, and I. struck out for camp in a hurry. Passing 
the place where I " hung my turkeys up," I shouldered the 
game, and "made tracks frequently." When in camp I threw 
down my turkeys, and got soundly lectured by all hands, as is 
usual in such cases, for my fc jlhardiness ; after v/hich I reported 
to Captain Brown that I had heard Indians. Breakfast was 
soon dispatched, horses saddled and mounted, and we started in 
the direction of the sounds. After traveling about five miles 
we came to another old house, which, although long deserted by 
its owner, had evidently been occupied the previous night. A 
fire was burning on the hearth, and part of the carcass of a deer 
was lying on the ground outside ; and there were horse-tracks 
all around the door, as if a party had just mounted and ridden 
away. Taking their trail, which was broad and plain, we fol- 
lowed at a gallop nearly all day; at times, however, ksing the 
trail, and then, of course, consuming time m finding it again. 
About noon we passed a herd of cattle, several of which had 
arrows sticking in their bodies, and were piteously moaning with 
pain. During the day we passed several little piles of sticks 
crossed on the trail. The Indians evidently had one or more 
prisoners, and the sticks meant that they were to be tortured 



ON A TRAIL. 61 

and burned at the stake. This gave our energies a fresh impe- 
tus, and we redoubled our exertions to overtake the party. En- 
camping for the night wo pushed on again, following the trail, 
on the next day, and at about ten o'clock we found where the 
Indians had killed a mare, and after taking out her colt, had 
devoured it — a very common habit of the Comanches when hard 
pushed by a pursuing party. We hurried along till we came in 
sight of the hills at the head of the Big Washita. river, having 
ridden at a gallop nearly all day. Toward night Ave came to a 
deserted camp which it was evident the Indians had but recently 
left ; meat was still roasting over the fire on their broiling sticks, 
and a gourd was on the ground filled with water from a spring 
near by. The water had not yet become Avarm, though the sun 
shone directly upon it. No shoe tracks were found near to indi- 
cate the presence of white persons ; all the feet had been uioc- 
casined, and it Avas also ascertained that one little child Avas Avitl- 
the party. We likewise found a strip of calico Avith a broad 
hem on it. Near the camp it Avas evident that a captive had 
been bound, and cut loose in a hurry to escape. After examin- 
ing the ground carefnlly ayc came to the conclusion that the 
prisoner, Avlioever he might be, Avas, at least, an Indian, as was 
also the little child. We discovered that the savages had scat- 
tered from this camp in different directions, and Ave found on 
one of the trails little bits of paper, strewn along at intervals 
for several hundred yards ; and a little further along Avas a pass, 
given by j\Iajor Leiper to a Reserve Comanche of an unpro- 
nounceable name. Concluding that this Avas the right trail, we 
ti'aveled as fiist as our now jaded and starved horses could go 
for another two hours, Avhen night came on, and Ave encamped 
on the trail, and rested till morning. We Avere noAv on the very 
head-waters of the Big Washita, about one hundred and fifty 
miles north of Fort Belknap. Our horses were jaded, and Ave 
tired and out of provisions, so that the Captain resolved to 
abandon the pursuit, and return to our old camp on the Little 
Washita. Traveling leisurely so as to recruit our horses, we ar- 



62 MUSTERED OUT. 

rived at our destination, and found Captain Kno-odin and his 
company anxiously awaiting our arrival. 

Having performed the duties assigned to us in that section, 
vce rested two or three days, and took up our line of march for 
Fort Belknap. Heartily tired of an exclusively meat diet, our 
lively imaginations conjured up pictures of — bread and butter; 
for which our stomachs longed with a hunger that could be 
appeased by bread and butter alone ; and this article of diet 
constituted the principal topic of conversation all the way to 
Belknap. At Fort Belknap Captain Brown received orders to 
return to Belton to muster out his men, as they had now accom- 
plished the purpose for which they were mustered in. AVe hud 
glorious times in fishing and hunting all the way back ; traveling 
all the time just as fancy or caprice dictated, and living oflf the 
best of everything which the country afforded. On our arrival 
at Belton the people gave us a hearty welcome, after which we 
were honorably discharged ; though we had to wait for our pay 
till it could be brought from Washington City to Austin, which 
consumed several weeks ; after which we received it, at the rate 
of forty-six dollars per month, in gold. 



CHAPTER IV. 

■WITH THE BANGERS AGAIN — BUFFALO HUNT — A LONELV JOURNEY. 

I NOW occupied my time in taming wild horses and hunting, 
having an occasional chase after the Indians, until winter, when 
I operated with a Minute Company from Burnett county ; our 
duties being merely to guard the frontier from invasion. A 
Lieut. Hamilton was in command of our company, and there was 
a chain of companies of the same class, extending along the entire 
frontier, numbering nearly twenty-five men each, under the com- 
mand of a Lieutenant. They kept up a constant patrol, across 
the country rendering it exceedingly unsafe for the Indians to 
venture down on the settlements. Nevertheless, their de- 
predations continued to be of frequent occurrence. The savages 
would come in by the mountain trails, on the Colorado river, 
until they would get far down in the settlements, when they 
would scatter out in small parties of from two to ten, and, by 
traveling in the dead hours of the night, they would reach points 
which they considered secure ; then, by a preconcerted signal, 
they would raise havoc in perhaps a dozen different places, at 
the same time. This kept the country in a constant fever of 
excitement, and, as is usual on such occasions, no one knew who 
to trust. Although the Minute Men were ever on the alert, and 
zealous in their duty, still the Indians were crafty, and restless 
in their hostility toward the whites ; and, of course, they often 
succeeded in their purposes; and this gave rise to many 
complaints against the Rangers ; and they were charged with 
being careless in the discharge of their duties. The two parties 
referred to in a preceding chapter, continued their contentions 
without intermission ; and while the excitement was at its hight, 
the official term of Governor Runnells expired, and Gen. slm. 



64 CAPTURE OF MISS MURPHY. 

Houston was inaugurated in his place. The General was en- 
tirely conversant with the condition of affairs, and the first 
thing he did was to organize a regiment of Rangers, under com- 
mand of CoL M. T. Johnston, an able officer, and experienced 
in Indian warfare ; and in addition, he had been engaged in the 
Regulator and Moderator war in Texas, and also in the con- 
test with Mexico, where he had taken part in the storming of 
Monterey. He soon enlisted a fine regiment, which was ably 
officered; and the governor and people naturally expected great 
success to attend its efiorts. Houston's design was to carry the 
war into the Comanche and Kiowa country. 

I enlisted at Waco, under command of Capt. J. M. Smith, 
who was likewise an experienced soldier, and well qualified to 
do service in an Indian war. Col. Johnston ordered the differ- 
ent companies to rendezvous at Fort Belknap, on the 1st of 
March, 1860. Our company traveled up the Brazos river from 
Waco, where it was recruited, to Fort Belknap, and was the 
first on the ground. 

A few days before vre arrived there, a young woman — Miss 
Murphy — was carried off from Murphy's ranch, near Belknap. 
So secretly had the affair been managed, that not a trace of her 
was ever discovered ; and all that was known of the presence 
of the Indians, was, that a few moccasin tracks were seen in 
the vicinity of the house. Miss Murphy had gone to the front 
yard for wood, while her sister-in-law, a Mrs. Murph}^, was 
cooking in the house, with the door leading to the yard, wide 
open. The young lady did not return with the wood, and Mrs. 
Murphy went out to look for her ; but failing to see her, at once 
blew the horn, which soon brought the men to the house ; but 
after the most thorough search, no traces of her could bo dis- 
covered. The neighbors were aroused, and the search continued, 
but with no better success than on the previous day ; though it 
was evident that she had been carried off by the Indians. Par- 
tics scoured the country far and wide, in the hope of finding 
some traces of her . but she was never heard of more ; at least 
so Ions as I was in the State. 



MURDER OF PEABODY. 65 

We had scarcely pitched our tents at Belknap, before a citi- 
zen came into camp with the intellig'ence that the Indians ^Yere 
depredating on the settlements but three miles distant. We 
mounted in haste, and were soon off. We were not troubled by 
delays in putting our army stores in motion, for the reason tliat 
we had no commissary department, and nothing for one to do ; 
nor was any time consumed in drawing and cooking rations, for . 
we had none. 

We repaired to the place at once, and foupd that a man named 
Peabody had been brutally murdered. He was shot with arrows, 
eight or ten times, and then lanced as often, after which he was 
scalped. The murder was committed by nine Comanches, in 
full view of seven white men, who, had they been worthy of 
their race— of the name of men even — could have whipped the 
savages off, and perhaps saved Peabody's life. They alleged 
a fear that a greater number of Indians were in the vicinity ; and 
so they mounted their horses and left the prisoner to his ftite, . 
in full view of his agonized family, and within fifty yards of his 
own home. Having committed the deed, the Indians mounted 
and were off, as rapidly as their horses could carry them. 

Capt. Smith took prompt measures to secure redress, and in- 
flict vengeance upon the savages. He confiscated all the flour 
in the neighborhood, and put all the women to baking bread. 
The murder was committed just at sunset, and we Avere there 
and making preparations for the pursuit by dark ; and at day- 
light the next morning, were off on the trail, which we followed 
with unceasing energy till stopped by darkness— the Indians, all 
the time, flying in the direction of the head waters of the Big 
Washita. 

The trail indicated that they were traveling leisurely; and as 
they took no pains to break the trail, we concluded that they 
were young warriors. We encamped for the night, and at day- 
light were again in pursuit, as rapidly as horse flesh could carry 
us. Our gait, nearly the whole time, was a swift gallop; and 
from indications, it was plain that the Indians were accelerating 
or "mending" theij pace. At dark, we again encamped on the 



66 BURNING A VILLAGE. 

trail, and near the head of the Big Washita ; and we passed the 
night without any disturbance; and at dawn were off once more 
in pursuit. But now we came to considerable sign, as if there 
might be an important village in the vicinity; and following a 
path that seemed to be extensively traveled, we wound around 
between two high hills, and into a long, narrow valley, within a 
short distance of a village containing eighteen lodges. Every- 
thing betokened that the place had been evacuated very recently. 
A few horses were staked out to graze near one of the lodges, 
and for that point we charged at full speed; and as we dashed 
up, we were saluted with the sharp report of several rifles, of 
no light caliber; after which arrows fell thick and fast. An 
order was then given to surround the whole place. My horse 
being somewhat fractious and a good deal braver than I was, 
dashed right in among the lodges. Seeing myself in a critical 
position, I drew a box of prairie matches from my pocket, and, 
lighting them all at once, threw them into one of the dry grass 
lodges, and in an instant it was in a blaze ; and from it the 
flames spread rapidly, till they reached the one in which the 
Indians were. The savages kept up a pretty good fire for so 
small a number, until they saw the flames, when all Avas still 
as death for a minute or more. Our men ceased firing, to let 
me have a chance to get out; but my horse continued unman- 
ageable ; and though, when the heat became intense, he made 
a few lunges to escape it, he again wheeled around, gazing at 
the lurid flame, heedless of rein, voice or spur. 

Suddenly the Indians began to show a disposition to come 
out. They made a racket at the door of the lodge, which they 
had barricaded, with such lumbering stuff" as they could com- 
mand ; and they were now pulling it down. In the meantime, 
our heavy rifle balls were penetrating the grass Avails from 
every side. Suddenly the Indians raised a piercing whoop, and 
five of their number charged out. As they showed themselves, 
we discharged more than a hundred guns upon them, and the 
whole five fell, either killed outright or mortally wounded; and 
four more were killed in the lodire. 



riRING A VILLAGE. 67 

We now took time to examine the place, and discovered that 
in many of the vrigwams were clothing, buffalo robes, and cook- 
ing utensils — evidence that the occupants had but recently de- 
camped. In one of them we captured a large quantity of jerked 
buffalo meat, which was about the only thing saved from the 
flames. 

As soon as the Indians who dashed out were disposed of, one 
of the men threw a raw-hide rope over the top of the lodge, so 
that it caught on some of the projecting poles, and held fiist. 
Instantly a party of men caught it, and pulled the frail structure 
over; and by kicking the burning grass away, we succeeded, 
after a severe scorching, in dragging the bodies of those who 
had remained inside away from the flames. Two of them had 
been shot dead, and two severely wounded. 

"We scoured the country for some distance thoroughly, in the 
hope of discovering other villages ; but all the signs went to 
show that there were no more, and that the inhabitants of the 
one destroyed had fled before the arrival of the Indians we had 
been pursuing, who, doubtless, did not belong there, but had 
only fled to it for safety. It is probable that a party of hunters 
had seen us long before our arrival, and had raised the alarm ; 
and as our animals were much fatigued we did not pursue their 
trail as the horses ridden by the Indians were, no doubt, all 
fresh. We did not recover Peabody's scalp, as it had probably 
been hidden by the savages, and was consumed by the fire. 
The Indians killed were all Comanches, but the village had been 
built and owned by the Wichitas. 

We encamped at the spring near the village for a good rest ; 
and I was soon astonished to find that I was looked upon as a 
very brave man; and as such I was highly complimented by my 
ofiicers. At first I was somewhat flattered; but I soon remem- 
bered about my horse, and I told them that the credit of the 
whole affair belonged exclusively to him ; as he had carried me 
where it was exceedingly doubtful that I should have gone with 
my own free will. 

From this place we crossed the Divide, and went down the 



(58 BUFFALO HUNT. 

Red fork of the Brazos. High up on this stream v;e had a 
grand buffiilo chase. Keeping under cover of a ridge, we 
deployed as skirmishers, so as to surround as much ground as 
possible. The wind favored us, and the buffalos did not discover 
us until we had marched up over the ridge, and a considerable 
distance down toward them; when they began to manifest some 
uneasiness, and the Captain at once ordered a charge. As the 
notes of the bugle rang out the animals raised their great 
shaggy heads in stupefied vronder at the sudden apparition of 
three hundred men charging down upon them, yelling, shouting, 
laughing, and hurrahing like madmen. With a loud, quick 
snort the nearest ones would whirl on their hind feet, and dash 
into the herd, spreading panic wherever they went. We soon 
closed upon them, and the work of destruction commenced; and 
the rattle of firearms was constant. The herd of buffalo seemed 
to roll like black waves over the ground, and extended as far as 
the eye could reach. The earth was jarred by their heavy, 
lumbering gait, while the air was filled with dust, and the ear 
stunned by the rumbling sound. On and on we went, pell mell, 
until bufialo, horse, rider — all, brought up with one grand plunge 
in the Hed fork of the Brazos. The bufitilo surging through 
the swollen stream, and reaching the opposite bank, scram- 
bled up it in the wildest confusion — the strong trampling down 
the weak or such as were unlucky enough to fall — each only 
intent upon escape, and only caring for self. 

By the time I and my immediate coiarades had reached the 
river, we found that many of the rangers had become almost 
inextricably mixed up with the buffalo, and a few of them were 
driven into the water by the struggling mass ; but fortunately 
they all escaped without severe injury, and joined again in the 
exciting, but dangerous sport. Some of the buffalo bogged 
down in the quicksand, and were mounted and ridden by a few 
of the most reckless of the "boys," at the imminent risk of be- 
ing swamped themselves. The sound of the bugle could just be 
heard above the din of the chase, calling us to "rally," and we 
now, for the first time, surveyed the scene behind us. It would 



BUFFALO HTTXT. 69 

be almost useless for me to attempt a description of the ground 
over which we had passed. The dust hung over the plain in a 
dense, heavy cloud, but had been lifted sufficiently high to reveal 
scores of huge carcasses scattered over the earth, while yet 
other scores were rolling upon the ground in the agonies of mor- 
tal wounds ; and yet a greater number were staggering and bel- 
lowing under the smart of injuries too trifling to bring them 
down, but sufficient to prevent them from keeping up with their 
unharmed companions. Here and there, too, was an unlucky 
rider, who had been thrown from his horse by accident — perhaps 
the breaking of a rein, or the parting of a girth; and in the 
meantime their steeds were flying about, neighing for their com- 
pany, or lying down gasping for breath. A few unlucky ones 
were in the melee badly gored by the infuriated bulls, and it be- 
came necessary to lead them back to camp ; while a few footmen 
were seen moving around, pistols in hand, dispatching some 
doughty, but badl^^-wounded animal. 

The killed and wounded amounted to more than five hundred; 
and when we had fairly rallied, we commenced in earnest to save 
the meat. Yye took nothing but the humps and a few tongues, 
leaving the remainder as a feast for Avolves. Those who had lost 
their horses mounted captured ones, and Ave were soon oiF once 
more for Fort Belknap. On our arrival, we found the remainder 
of the regiment assembled, except one company, commanded by 
Captain Ed. Burleson, and which had been in tlie service for 
some time, and was at a point one hundred and fifty miles away, 
without an intervening settlement. This wild region we well 
knew to be a favorite resort for Comanche and Kiowa hunters, 
and, therefore, very dangerous for travelers ; yet across it, it 
became necessay to carry a dispatch to Captain Burleson, order- 
ing him to report to Colonel Johnston for duty. I volunteered 
for the service, and taking five days rations of bread and bacon, 
I commenced my lonely journey, and on the first day made fifty 
miles. During the day I passed over a good deal of fresh sign. 
There had been a shower of rain in the forenoon, and I crossed 
trails where the fresh dust was turned up from under the damp 



70 A LONELY ROAD. 

soil on the top ; but I saw no Indians. I encamped early, as it 
was a cloudy night, and I could not see to travel. I ate my 
supper, rested awhile, and then moved to a place about a mile 
from the road and made my bed in a new place. This is a com- 
mon practice among both Indians and Rangers. Feeling per- 
fectly secure, I slept till morning, and on awaking, looked to 
see if my horse was safe, which I soon ascertained was the case; 
and then I thought of my breakfast. But judge of my astonish- 
ment when I found it was gone! I soon discovered the frag- 
ments of my haversack at a considerable distance from the tree, 
where I had hung it up for safe keeping. It was torn into shreds, 
and all my good biscuit and bacon eaten, or carried away. The 
hard bread, however, was scattered around; for although a good 
article of the kind, it had not proved palatable to my nocturnal 
visitor; some of it having been chewed up and evidently dropped 
in disgust. My bacon had been completely cleaned out — had 
gone the way of all flesh. There was enough sign on the ground 
to convince me that the robbery had been perpetrated by ten or 
a dozen "Leber" wolves; none of the black or grey species be- 
ing able to reach so high. Imagine my situation and feelings 
on making the discovery ! A hundred and ten miles from my 
place of destination, without a bite to eat, and Indians so thick 
around me that I dare not fire a shot, lest I should attract to me 
one or more of the straggling bands infesting the country ! But 
there was nothing to be gained by vain regrets, though much 
time might be lost in that way. The contemptible villains that 
had robbed me, were, doubtless, at that moment stretched out 
in some secluded spot taking a comfortable snooze, or felicitat- 
ing themselves upon the successful termination of their enter- 
prise, and the adroit manner in which it had been executed. 
The more I studied over it, the madder I got; so I rode off, pon- 
derinrf on numerous schemes of revenue. I resolved to hold the 
whole community responsible for the acts of the individual, and 
have ever since took a great amount of solid pleasure in killing 
a wolf. 

I was a day and a night getting to Camp Colorado, where I 



N CD 

O <-t 



esTO 

a 




SANTA anna's PEAK. 73 

called upon Lieut. Lee, and related my misfortune. He consoled 
me with a hearty meal and I rode on. He also tendered my 
mustang a feed of corn, but the pony, not being used to such 
coarse diet, refused it in disgust. I had yet tAventy-eight miles 
to ride before I reached Home creek, Avhere it was supposed I 
would find Burleson. The route was easily found to the cross- 
ing of the creek, but when once there which way to turn I did 
not know. 

About eleven miles from Camp Colorado, I came to a con- 
siderable mountain, called Santa Anna's peak. Staking my pony 
so that he could graze, I climbed to the summit to take a view of 
the surrounding country, and see if I could discover smoke indi- 
cating a camp. From this point I had a full view of Home 
creek, from its source to a point nearly as far down as its mouth 
on the Pecan bayou. While leisurely surveying the landscape 
before me, I was startled by a slight sound, like the breaking of 
a twig. Knowing that I stood upon dangerous ground, I held 
my pistol in my hand; and to cock it was but the work of a 
moment; and turning around, judge my astonishment at seeing 
before me a stalwart negro, and distant only about ten steps'^ 
with a rifle drawn and nearly ready to fire. There was no mis- 
taking his intention. His eye was a perfect index to his 
thoughts and his detern^iuation. (juiek as thought I leveled on 
him, but before I could speak he addressed me in a very quiet 
tone: 

"Master, don't shoot me." 

"Put down your gun, then," I replied, utterly astonished at 
his coolness and effrontery, and slowly he let the hammer fall 
and lowered his piece. 

" Master," he said piteously, " you is n't gwine to kill me, is ye ?" 
" What were you about to do to me ?" I demanded; " were you 
not in the act of shooting me?" 

" Master," he replied, "I'se a poor black man; my life aiu't 
worth nothin' to you, no how; so jes please let me live a little 
longer ; please do n't shoot me." 

Again I demanded why he had drawn his gun on me. 
5 



74 UNCLE JIM. 

" please, sir, put down de pistol, den I kin talk to you." 

I lowered the pistol, keeping a strict eye on his movements. 
He prefaced his remarks with the very pertinent question : 

'• Is you from Texas ?'' 

I hardly know Avhat made me deny it, but I replied that I was 
not. But his next sentence convinced me that I had done well. 

'•I thouffht," said he, "you was one of dem fellers from de 
creek, over dar." 

" What fellows ? Who are they ?"' I inquired. He looked at 
me so calmly, that I saw he was not in the least afraid of me ; 
and after hesitating a little, he asked, in a dubious tone : 

" Master, whar did you come from, den ?" 

I told him quickly I came from Fort Cobb, in the Indian Na- 
tion, and this seemed greatly to relieve his mind on some impor- 
tant point, for he said : 

'* La, master, I thort you was one o' dem fellers from Texas ; 
dey come up in de mountains every few days, huntin' for some of 
us poor brack folks ; dey dun cotch nearly all now and took 'em 
down in de settlements."' 

" What is your name, and what are you doing here ?"' I asked. 

•' My name Jim, sah, and I lives round de end of de mountain, 
dar. But, massa, what might I call you ?" 

I told him my name, and otherwise made myself free with 
him, when he became very social ; and on learning I was origin- 
ally from Ohio, he made many inquiries about the people, and 
the country. "I'se always hearu about the north," said ho ; 
"and wanted to go dar." 

He then told me he had been raised a slave, and he had run 
off from his master, who lived in Jack county, Texas ; and 
that he had lived in those mountains several years. After talk- 
ing awhile longer, and finding I had no disposition to molest 
him in any manner, he invited me to go with him to his cave. 
Full of curiosity to see more of the strange mortal, I walked 
with him around the point, over piles of broken rocks, which 
seemed to have been tumbled down out of the side of the moun- 
tain, by an earthquake ; he clambered, and I followed, until we 



THE XEGRO CAVE. 75 

turned around the spur, Avhen he stopped before a little hole in 
the side of a cliff, and pointing to it, said : 

" Dar 's whar I lib, sah," and he led the -^ay into it. 

Stooping down, I followed him into the cave, until he disap- 
peared in the darkness, when I stepped to one side, and placed 
myself behind a huge rock, that projected from the wall. I 
thought by doing so, I would have a decided advantage if he 
was disposed to be tricky. He then called out : "Jis stop a 
minit, till I strikes a light." 

He soon had a large iron lamp burning, which lit up the 
whole cave ; after which, he proceeded to light a fire, and cook 
me something to eat. He had plenty to live on — flour, bacon, 
sugar, coffee, and tea. He boasted of this — said he " lived as 
well as de white folks ;" but what was the greatest mystery to 
me, was the fact that he had a large amount of clothing in his 
cave — both men's and women's wear. In one place, were several 
fine coats hanging ; and in another, pants, vests, and female 
apparel. I kept constantly between him and the door, without 
acting as if I suspected anything. But I could not possibly 
devise how he came by these articles, and therefore did not like 
to put myself in liis power, lest my coat might soon hang with 
the rest. Without seeming to care anything about it, I asked a 
few questions about his hunting, and the profits it brought him ; 
if he followed trading, and if he bartered any with the Indians. 
I found he procured his flour and bacon, by selling game to the 
officers and soldiers, at different posts ; and that there were a 
good many other runaways in the mountains, and that Burle- 
son's men had caught half a dozen of them, and sent them to 
the settlements. I did not deem it prudent to tell him I wanted 
to go to Burleson's camp, or that I knew anything about it. 
After eating a heavy dinner with him, I bid him a hearty "good 
bye," and told him I must ride. He inquired very earnestly 
where I was going, and I told him, without hesitating, to Fort 
Mason. He accompanied me down the mountain to my horse, 
and when I had mounted, he shook hands with me kindly, as 
only a negro can, Vthen he is in earnest, saying : 



76 GAME PLENTY. 

"Massa, you won't ncber tink hard o' old Uncle Jim ; Meed 
I tink you are one o' dem fellers from Texas." 

I put out at a good gait, and got to the crossing of the creek, 
about an hour before sundown. When there, I had a hard time 
to determine which way to go, but finally turned up the creek, 
which happened to be the right course, and I reached Burleson's 
camp some time after dark, and was warmly welcomed by the 
Captain and his men. 

On my way down, I had captured a prairie dog, and put it in 
my saddle pocket. It was a beautiful little animal, about twice 
the size of a common fox squirrel, of brownish color, with very 
bright little eyes, and with ears so diminutive, as to be little 
more than a curl in the hair. Its feet were shaped like those 
of a squirrel, with five toes on its front, and four on its hinder 
feet ; and its teeth, too, resembled those of the same animal, 
but were larger, and stronger ; while its tail, except that it was 
larger, and had coarser hair, was like that of the common ground 
squirrel. It would have made a fine pet, and been an object of 
curiosity down in the settlements ; but as I could not carry it 
with me, I killed it. 

The region over which I traveled, abounded in game — 
especially in deer and antelope. On the Clear fork of the 
Brazos, I could see immense herds, shading themselves, during 
the heat of the day. From the top of the table land, on the 
southwest side of the Clear fork, I could see more than fifty 
groups of these animals, at once ; and many of them numbered 
from forty to fifty. It would be altogether safe, to estimate the 
whole number in sight at once, at five hundred. 

I received a terrible fright from half a dozen horned owls, 
just as I was crossing a little creek, within a short distance of 
camp. They raised a perfectly demoniac yell over my head, 
just as I came up out of the creek ; and they followed it up, 
v.jth such a natural laugh, that I put spurs to my horse, and ran 
a short distance, fearing that I was in the vicinity of a camp of 
savages, waylaying the ford. After getting some distance away, 
I turned around, and peering up into the trees, discovered the 



JIM NED. 77 

cause of my alarm to be nothing more dangerous than half a 
dozen great horned owls, enjoying a social "time," in the cool 
of the evening. 

After a day of rest, in camp, I joined a party in a bear hunt, 
up Jim Ned creek, a stream named after Jim Ned, a Caddoe 
Avarrior of considerable note, who, as the story goes, is a natural 

son of Gen. H y, who is known thoughout the west as a 

daring soldier — gay, and fond of women. He is a man of de- 
cided character, large size, and endowed with no ordinary de- 
gree of courage. His great resemblance to the general, gives 
credence to the reputed relationship ; but Capt. Beaver, or as 
he is commonly called. Black Beaver, a full blood Indian, and a 
very truthful man, who has known Jim Ned, since his birth, 
says his father Avas a very black negro, while the mother was a 
full blooded Indian woman. Nevertheless, Jim Ned is very 
white, and would pass for a white man in almost any crowd. 

But without attempting to determine the vexed question of 
Jim Ned's parentage, I return to my narrative. Our luck in 
the hunt, was extraordinary. We had procured good dogs from 
the settlement, and had rare sport. In three days, we killed five 
bears, one elk, and a number of deer. We found wild honey in 
abundance, of which we partook liberally, after which we filled 
our camp kettles with it, as well as every other available vessel 
in our possession ; some of us even took off our drawers, and, 
after having washed them in the creek, tied the legs together 
at the bottom, and filled them with the delicious sweet. We 
found this decidedly the easiest of all methods of carrying it, as 
we could hang it astride our horses. We then returned to camp, 
very tired, badly stung, but full of life. 

On our return, we discovered everything in commotion, as 
the Indians had made their appearance in the neighborhood, and 
had been stealing horses ; and a party of citizens w^ere in the 
camp, ready to pilot us to the scene of the disturbances. 
The Captain got his company in the saddle, and went to the 
spot indicated that night, and next morning early, we struck out 



78 CAPTUllE OF IXDIA^'S. 

on the trail, and had only followed it a few miles, when we came 
in sight of the Indians, who were only two in number. They 

had with them four horses none of them good ones. We 

raised a yell, and started after them at a full charge. Throwing 
themselves from their horses, they turned toward the bushes. 
We run partly around the thicket, and commenced firing into it. 
Our heavy rifle balls cut the brush and glanced about through 
it so much, that it ceased to be much protection to them, and 
they soon found it so. They then hoisted a white rag on a 
switch, and we ceased firing. The Captain called on them to 
come out, which they immediately did, one of them holding his 
hand over his right ear. On being assured that we did not 
want to kill them, they regarded themselves as extremely well 
favored. They belonged to the tribe of Lipans. The citizens 
agreed that they would take them to Austin, to be turned over 
to Gov. Houston. The wounded man said he was "proud, heap 
proud ; white man miss so close." 

We returned to camp on Home creek, where another party 
was sent out to Pecan bayou, on a scout ; myself among the 
number. A few miles above Camp Colorado, we found a deserter 
from the regular service, wandering about in irons. He had a 
pistol, and plenty of ammunition ; but as his irons were riveted, 
he could not get them off. Luckily our blacksmith was along 
with us, and he had his rasp with him, by the aid of which, and 
his shoeing hammer, the manacles were loosed. When set at 
liberty, the Lieutenant told him he might either return to his 
regiment, or go down to the settlements ; and he chose the 
latter alternative. On the same day, we found a negro woman 
in the woods, who was taken into custody, to be returned to her 
owner ; but in the night she escaped, through some mysterious 
agency, although securely tied, and was never seen afterward, 
by any of the party ; and, as catching slaves was not our legiti- 
mate business, we made little exertion to find her. Crossmiij 
over on to Jim Ned, we had plenty of sport, killing deer ; in- 
deed, our horses were literally loaded down -nith venison, beai 



AFTER STOLEN HORSES. 79 

meat, and other game, and we were thinking of anything else, 
rather than war. when all at once we struck a broad trail, over 
which a large number of horses had passed. Believing that a 
drove of animals had strayed oflf here, from some of the settle- 
ments, we followed in the track, with a view of heading them off, 
and returning them to the settlements. As the tracks were 
very fresh, we did not anticipate any trouble in overtaking the 
drove, the first time it stopped to graze. After following the 
trail for some time, we came in sight of a lone Indian, but 
nothing else was to be seen. The instant he observed us, he 
dashed off as rapidly as his horse could carry him, following the 
course the horses had taken. It was evident that he was a sen- 
tinel, and that more savages were ahead ; so we started at once 
in pursuit. It was now apparent that the animals had been 
stolen, and were being driven off by a large body of Indians. 
The trail was nearly as plain as a wagon road, and could be 
traveled with certainty in the night, and we accordingly kept on 
through the darkness. 

Failing to gain on the Indian, we cut our game loose from 
the saddles, and let it go; and our horses, thus relieved from a 
heavy burden, ran well ; and though we did not gain on the sav- 
age, we held our own, and thus prevented him from giving the 
alarm to his company before we came upon them. It was a 
tight race, as long as we were on the level prairie; but as soon 
as we entered the mountains, on the Colorado, he frequently 
evaded our view, as he was a splendid horseman, and ran his 
animal with excellent judgment. 

His horse was failing, but so were our own ; so that we could 
not take advantage of that circumstance. On our arrival at the 
top of a mountain we discovered the object of our pursuit — 
the drove of horses — in the care of about twenty Indians. 
They had not yet discovered us, when the red imp before us be- 
gan to yell loud enough to awaken the dead, to say nothing 
about startlino; the livinfj. The Indians heard him, and we 
could distinctly perceive the excitement occasioned ; and they 



80 FEARFUL IXDIAX LEAP. 

at once gave liim an answering wboop, and Leaded the drove 
for the river ; but the horses not being manageable by so small 
a number of di-ivers, stampeded, and ran to the right, and nearly 
parallel to the stream, for some distance; while the Indians, 
seeinor us train on them rapidlv, left their bootv and dashed into 
another sap in the mountains. Thev had lost time in trvinir to 
turn the horses the way they wanted them to go, and we Avere 
now close upon them, firing, and yelling like so many madmen. 

On we went till we passed the mountains, when we found the 
Indians had mistaken their route, and ran through the wrong 
gap, and had unexpectedly found themselves upon the river, 
with a high bluff before them, and an almost perpendicular moun- 
tain on each side, while we were charging close upon their rear; 
but they hesitated not a moment. Realizing their position, they 
spurred ahead, and dashed over the bluff into the river. So 
sudden was their disappearance that some of Burleson's men 
could not check up in time to save themselves, but went head- 
long after the savages, who made for the opposite shore as fast 
as they rose to the surface. After swimming a few strokes, 
they struck hard bottom and were soon in shallow water, when, 
giving us a parting whoop, they fled to the woods, and were 
quickly out of sight. The river here is very narrow and deep, on 
the North side. The bluff was about sixteen feet high, and per- 
pendicular above the water. There were three of our party who 
went over the bluff after the Indians, one of whom we alway.s 
called Towney — but I have forgotton the names of the others. 
They all swam ashore on the opposite side; still, as their guns 
and ammunition were wet, they could accomplish nothing against 
the long lances of the fugitives, so they wisely followed the 
river bank down to a ford and recrossed. 

The Lieutenant then concluded to return and save the horses, 
as there was no longer any hope of overtaking the Indians in 
the dark. We soon found the animals quietly grazing, and en- 
camped to wait for the return of the men who had gone in search 
of a ford, which they found about five miles down the river. 



GOOD ^^^-TI^-G axi. fishixg. jl 

TTe were tten fort.v-five miles from the regular caxnp : ana on 
the following day discovered a parrv of citizens who had <^one 
outm search of the horses: but had ir not been forus.thev 
would never have seen them again. V.'e then returned, and wor'e 
soon feastmg on all sorts of wild fowl and g^tme, as well as &h 
01 wiuch we caught thousancis. 



CHAPTER V. 

ANOTHER LONELY RIDE — FRONTIER FBUDS. 

After resting my horse two or three days, I set out on my re- 
turn to Fort Belknap alone, as Burleson was not yet ready to 
move, and would not be for some time. Out of unadulterated 
sympathy for my horse, I took no rations for myself, depending 
solely for my subsistence on my trusty gun. There are two re- 
quisites for successful hunting, besides proper equipments and 
being a dead shot : one is to find the game, and the other is to 
get within shooting distance. I could not dismount to hunt on 
foot, nor could I leave my route, lest I should fall in with some 
rovins band of Comanches : and game was scarce on the high 
table-land over which I Avas to travel, and as a natural conse- 
quence, I went hungry all the way. On the second day, I be- 
came very sick of a fever, which I broke by laying down in a 
running stream of pure water until I got chilled; and, between 
hunger and sickness, I was unable to travel fast, and it was two 
o'clock of the fourth day, before I reached Dobb's ranch, the 
first settlement on my way, and only thirteen miles from Belknap. 
I called for dinner, and turned out my horse to graze, and, in 
the meantime, threw myself down to enjoy a nap, which my 
exhausted system greatly needed, and which I could now do, 
conscious of perfect security. I had slept but a few minutes, 
however, before I was awakened by one of the prettiest girls in 
Texas. She furnished me Avith a towel and a basin of water, 
preparatory to taking my dinner, and after indulging in my ab- 
lutions, my appetite attained a keenness Avhich I have seldom 
felt ; and it was with no ordinary degree of satisfaction that I 
seated myself to a table bountifully spread with Avarm bread, 
fresh butter, wild honey, sAveet milk, and a score of other dain- 
ties, calculated to appease the most ravenous cravings of the 



A HARD RIDE. 83 

stomach. The young lady sat down immediately opposite me. 
and after seeing that my plate -was well supplied, she began to 
question me as to where I was from, whither I was going, and 
to what command I belonged ; seeming determined to make me 
communicative whether I would be or no. Havins: fasted lono-. 
I was not unaware of the danger of partaking too freely of tlie 
food set before me ; so I measured at a glance just the quantity 
I AYOuld take, and determined not to exceed it ; but the girl kept 
on talking, and detained me till I consumed all the victuals on 
the table. 

Dinner over, I mounted a fresh horse which was furnished me, 
and started for Belknap. My steed was a half wild Mustang, 
native to the country, and had been badly spoiled in breaking. 
I had scarcely touched his back, when he began that species of 
rearing and plunging, known in Texas as "pitching ;" in Cali- 
fornia as "spiking," and in this country as "bucking." Now my 
tribulation began. The first half a dozen leaps brought on a 
pain, and dizziness, and convinced me of my imprudence in eat- 
ing so heartily, after a fiist. To dismount, was to evince cow- 
ardice, and the thought was not to be entertained ; and, to be 
thrown, was everlasting disgrace. The pretty girl was a specta- 
tor of my efforts, and I must ride him or die. Great drops of 
sweat were rolling down my face — the result of pain and sick- 
ness, not of exertion. Seeing the case was growing desperate, 
I drove the spurs again and again into his sides, until, almost 
frantic Avith pain, the horse dashed off at the top of his speed, 
into the woods, and in the direction of Belknap. I arrived 
there in about an hour, still suffering terribly. It does not in- 
jure a man to go three days hungry; I am almost tempted to 
say, it may do him good, if he is careful to eat sparingly when 
he once more reaches a land of plenty ; but I had made myself 
a glutton, and must take the consequences. 

On arriving in camp, I found that Colonel Johnston had gone 
to eastern Texas, and that my company commander. Captain 
Smith, had been elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, 
and that Sul. Ross, a son of Captain Ross, sub-agent of the 



84 AN INDIGNANT FEMALE. 

Lower Reserve, Lad snccccded liim as Captain. Our First 
Lieutenant "was named Lang, and the Second Lieutenant Avas 
Lave Sublett. 

Tlie followers of Bajdor Avere not at all pleased that a son of 
their old enemy should have been elected to an office among the 
Hangers, although it was not an affair that in the least concerned 
them. But a feud of the most violent character disturbed the 
community; and among men of the style of those of Western 
Texas, hatred almost as inevitably led to personal collision, as 
it did in Scotland two hundred and fifty years ago. A single 
incident will illustrate the feeling which prevailed : 

Some Indians visited the settlements on the Trinity river, 
east of Belknap, and cemmenced at once "raising Cain," as the 
frontier men occasionally term it, that is, they helped themselves 
to horses and cattle, burned buildings, destroyed crops, and did 
all kind of injury which their ingenuity, and a decent regard for 
the safety of their persons would permit; and Captain Ross 
was detailed with a body of men, to pursue them, and drive them 
from the country. We started off on a gallop, and continued it 
for some time, till we came in sight of a house, when we slack- 
ened up to a walk, in order to give the party time to get water; 
and while at the well, a woman walked out before us, and said: 

"You're gwine after the Injuns, arc you?" 

I was in the advance, and replied politely in the affirmative. 

"Gwine after the Comanches ?" she inquired. 

"Yes, Madame," I answered. 

"Whose company is this ?" she next desired to know. 

"The Waco company — Captain Ross," Avas my response, feel- 
in(T a conscious pride in our importance. 

"•I wish the Injuns may scalp the last one o' you," she shouted 
in a shrill voice. 

I bowed politely, and the men all broke out into a laugh, 
which only increased her indignation ; and as long as we were 
within hearing distance, her voice rang out maledictions upon 
our heads, aad upon the heads of every friend of Captain Ross. 

We soon found the intruding Indians, who proved to be a 



INDIANS SHOT. 85 

band of Kickapoos; and we were not long in routing and drivino- 
them out of the settlements. "We did not even get close enouo-h 
to fire a gun, so fleet, and so cowardly were the savages, who 
fled, at once, in the direction of Red river ; and not caring to 
weary our horses, with a chase that promised not the remotest 
chance of success, we returned to camp. 

Soon after, however, another company captured fifteen of 
these same Indians, and were returning with them to camp, 
when a party of enraged citizens came up, and fired upon the 
savages, -who were mingled among their captors; so that the lives 
of the latter were in as much danger as those of the former ; but 
luckily, no white men were killed, while two of the Indians were 
shot down, one dead and the other severely wounded. 

This conduct of the citizens so infuriated the Rano-ers that 
they turned their captives loose, and told them to run for their 
lives ; then, turning to the citizens, the Captain of the party or- 
dered them to leave at once, or he would fire on them ; and no sec- 
ond invitation to depart was needed, as the first was looked upon 
as very nearly approaching the peremptory; at least, it was a 
"broad hint." By that conduct, these settlers only caused to be 
let loose upon themselves a dozen or more mauraders, who, in 
future encounters would have a double thirst for venereance ; and, 
who, but for their rashness, would have been disposed of, either 
by being sent beyond the limits of the State, or been held as 
prisoners till the war was ended. 



CHAPTER VI. 
MORE AD^-ENTURES — MEETING AX OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 

About the first of May, the regiment, under command of 
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, set out from Belknap for Camp Rad- 
ziminski, an old United States' fortified position, in the Washita 
mountains. We traveled hastily, stopping during the first night 
on the Trinity river, and on the second, at the Little Washita. 
at which latter place, our horses, from some unexplained cause, 
stampeded. I prevented my pony from escaping, but the lucky 
ones who did this were few. The entire day was consumed in 
picking up the fugitives ; and by night, only four were missing. 
Two of these were the property of Col. Smith, and the others 
of private soldiers. On the following morning, I, with three 
others, started out to hunt the missing animals, the orders of 
the Colonel being, to follow the trail a few hours, and if we did 
not see the horses in that time, to give up the pursuit, and go 
direct to Radziminski, as rapidly as we could. 

We, however, followed the trail over one hundred and fifty 
miles. The horses were trying to get back home; and though 
turned out of their course frequently, by rivers and mountains, 
they would seek the first available opportunity to resume it. 
Sometimes they would wander about so while grazing, that we 
would be a whole day in striking their trail again. After three 
or four days, Ave found two of the animals, which had got 
wound up in the ropes by which they were tied, and were unable 
to graze, and hence were nearly starved. We searched the 
country for the other two horses, but could not find them, when 
my companions with one accord, voted to return to the command, 
and let them go ; but this I stoutly opposed. 

They urged that we had already exceeded our orders, and 



LONELY RIDE. 87 

done better tlian was expected of so small a party, and that we 
were in a country celebrated as an Indian hunting-ground, and 
therefore it would be folly for us to proceed further. I told 
them to go back, and take the horses, if they wished ; but I 
should go on ; that I could strike the trail again, by making a 
circuit of two or three miles ; and that I felt satisfied that it 
was not more than forty miles to the settlements, in a south- 
westerly direction, from where we then were; and to tell the 
Colonel that I had determined to continue the pursuit. 

About sunset we parted; they commencing a dangerous jour- 
ney cf one hundred and thirty miles, in a straight line, while I 
held on, in the general course the horses had been travelino^. 
Directly on my route lay considerable of a mountain, which I 
ascended. The top of it was very leA'el, and I traveled along 
it for about four miles, when I came upon a small trail. It was 
now night, but I could readily see by the light of the stars, that 
a stake rope had been dragged along the path ; and this satis- 
fied me that I Avas on the track of the missing horses. I at 
once commenced pursuit, until so wearied that I was compelled 
to lie down to sleep. On the following morning, I rode on, till 
about ten o'clock, Avhen I came in sight of the settlements, the 
first house proving to be Murphy's ranch, fourteen miles from 
Belknap ; and here I learned that the horses had passed the 
place, and been taken up in the town, and advertised as estrays. 

Well pleased that my long ride would soon be over, and that 
I should recover the animals, I made the intervening fourteen 
miles with great speed, and a light heart; but alas for human 
foresight and calculations! The horses were gone. One had 
been ridden away by a Minute Man on a wild goose chase after 
the Comanches, while the other had been loaned to a mail car- 
rier, and had escaped from him, while staked out to graze. On 
making inquiry, I learned that a horse answering to the descrip- 
tion of the one which had broken loose, had been seen at Rock 
creek, eighteen miles distant ; it had on spancels, my informant 
said, and a piece of rope was tied around its neck ; and I at 
once concluded it was the missing animal, and rode out after it. 



88 INDIANS IN AMBUSH. 

Traveling in the direction of the point indicated, I came to a 
noted spring, Avhere I expected to find the company encamped 
who had the other animal, but it had gone. 

Being very hungry, I staked my horse to graze, while I could 
cook some rice, and make a little coffee at the old camp-fire, 
which had not yet died out ; and while busily engaged preparing 
these articles, I was aroused by a short, quick, snort, and in a 
moment, the identical animal I had followed so long, came dash- 
ing down the hill at a break-neck speed, foaming with sweat 
and terribly frightened ; while close at his heels were five stal- 
wart Indians, on foot, doing their utmost to stop him, and turn 
him from his course. 

The first thing I did, was to send a load of buckshot among 
the savages, and the next, to tie up the frightened animal, which 
ran up to mine and stopped ; then, changing the saddle from one 
to the other, I threw out my rice and coffee and left the spot in 
haste. As I started, two or three guns were discharged at me ; 
but I had no time to stop and inquire the cause. On my return 
to Belknap, I ate a hearty supper, and was put in charge of the 
mail for the regiment, which weighed about sixty pounds, and 
with which I at once left for Camp Radziminski. 

The first day out I rode to the crossing of the Big Washita; 
and at'Soldicr creek I formed a mark for an Indian to try his 
bow — the arrow passing very close to my back. I had noticed 
for some time the tracks of two Indians, immediately along the 
wagon road, but had paid little attention to the matter. But 
discovering the presence of danger, I Avent back about a mile, 
and encamped for the night. On the following day I observed 
that moccasin tracks were plenty at the spring where they sup- 
posed I would go into camp, from which it is apparent that they 
believed me verdant in border warfjire. 

I knew that they Avere ahead of me, and felt certain of being 
waylaid ; and had made certain that they were in a grove, hardly 
a mile from the river; and subsequent events evinced that I was 
not deceived. As I approached the grove, I left the path, and 
rode through the timber some distance away; and after passing 



SURROUNDED BY WOLVES. 91 

entirely around the grove I again struck the road. After riding 
some distance, I turned and -went back to a good place, and 
secreted myself in a thicket to wait ; I had not been there 
many minutes when two savages came at a swift run, on foot — 
one about one hundred yards ahead of the other. When the 
foremost one was within about sixty yards of me, I fired, the 
shot taking effect in his right arm and side. He instantly seized 
the wounded limb in his left hand and bounded down the trail, 
toward the river, and was soon lost to sight. I followed as 
rapidly as possible, but they succeeded in crossing the stream, 
and secreting themselves among the bushes on the other side. 
Not caring to risk too much I let them go, and went back to the 
road, well satisfied that the Indian was mortally wounded and 
would die. 

I crossed Red river that day, and for the first time lit a fire to 
cook ; but scarcely had the smoke began to rise, when the wolves 
commenced gathering from all points of the compass. Being 
tired and desperately hungry, I put a «ip of rice on the fire to 
boil, and also commenced preparing coffee ; but long before the 
water was hot, the wolves came so unpleasantly near my horses, 
that they refused to eat, although tired and hungry; but came 
and stood by the fire where I was. 

The wolves kept sneaking up closer and closer, until some 
were within ten paces, when I rashly concluded to kill one, just 
for sport; and aiming at a very large, gray one, I fired and he 
fell in his tracks. No sooner did the others ^et the scent of 
blood than they rushed in fr-om all directions upon their fallen 
companion; and I had barely time to seize my cups and jump 
on my horse, befoie they closed in on me from all sides. 
Once mounted, I felt entirely safe; and I turned an."" fired a 
charge of buckshot into the pack that was devouring the dead 
one; then, wheeling my pony, I rode out from among them, 
"When at a little distance off I halted my horse and again fired, 
this time giving them the contents of a six-shooter, well aimed ; 
and every animal that received even the slightest wound, was in- 
stantly devoured by the remainder of the pack — sport for me, 
6 



92 KUNNING "WITH BUFFALOES. 

and I enjoyed it till I was tired, and rode off, leaving trie unfor- 
tunate wolves to fight it out. I then rode off, keeping in the 
saddle till nearly morning, when I laid down tO sleep in a state 
of glorious uncertainty as to whether I was on the right or the 
-yrong road. The road forked on the plain, and I did not know 
whether to turn to the right or the left ; but after studying 
awhile I took the right hand, and laid down to sleep upon myi 
decision. 

A little before daylight, I heard a heavy rumbling sound ; and 
on awaking, I saw what appeared to be heavy clouds in the dis 
tance, and I at first believed the noise to be thunder; and the 
reader may well imagine that a drenching on the open plain was 
not a pleasant thing to contemplate. Presently, however, 1 
concluded the noise seemed to be too suppressed for thunder, 
and, as I listened, I discovered it grew louder, and was rapidl^- 
approaching nearer. Springing to my feet, I saddled one horse - 
threw the mail-bag across the other and mounted. By this time, 
I could plainly discern the cause of the noise ; on every side 
save one, I was hemmed in by a herd of buffalo. Hoping they 
would soon run by, 1 paused a moment to consider my chances ; 
and in that moment the avenue for egress was closed, and I was 
compelled to run with the herd. They were traveling nearly 
in the direction I wanted to go ; only gradually bearing a little 
to the right. By watching opportunities, I worked over to the 
left, and after keeping them company for about two miles, I suc- 
ceeded in finding a gap and dashed out, and across a creek, up 
which the buffalo were running. 

Once safe, I stopped to rest my horses and breathe freelj, 
for we had been nearly suffocated with dust. I soon discovereci 
what had started the herd, and was driving it forward with sucib 
speed ; in the midst of the herd were a number of Indians:, 
spearing and shooting with arrows, as if bent on the extermina- 
tion of the last buffalo before sunrise. 

I was not afraid of being discovered in the midst of such ex- 
citement as the savages were enjoying, if I could only keep my 
horses still; and to keep them quiet, I tickled them on the 



ANOTHER STAMPEDE. 93 

nose until the party was well out of sight, when I rode off, and 
in an hour, I found myself at Captain Burleson's camp on Ot- 
ter creek, at the foot of one of the Wichita mountains. 

The men were delighted with their letters, and they extended 
to me a hearty welcome ; and, after I had rested a little, I 
NHS furnished with a guide who piloted me to the Colonel's quar- 
ters, some miles away. Lieutenant Colonel Smith was in com- 
mand, and he was delighted to know that I had escaped so well, 
and congratulated me for persevering so long under discourao-- 
ing circumstances, and kindly thanked me for recovering his own 
horse, and offered me a pecuniary reward, but this I refused. 

Colonel Smith had been exceedingly annoyed at another stam- 
pede, Avhich had occurred on the previous night, in which four 
hundred beef cattle had escaped. These being his chief reliance 
for food for his men during the approaching campaign, he natur- 
ally felt extremely anxious about the matter; and to add to his 
perplexity, while I vfas yet in his tent, an officer rode up and 
said he had followed the trail about three miles, when it was 
lost among the buffalo tracks, and that it vrould, therefore, be 
impossible to tell with any certainty in what direction to look 
after the missina; animals. 

At this point, I recollected seeing a trail cross mine, which I 
had examined to see if the tracks were those of horses: findino- 
that they were not, I had supposed that a herd of buffalo had 
passed along there, and had left it, without giving^ it further at- 
tention. I reported this fact to Colonel Smith, who at once 
agreed with me that it was the trail of the cattle; and at his 
request I mounted a fresh horse and piloted a company of men 
to the place. A chase of over fifty miles then ensued, when we 
came upon the recreant beasts, and retui-nedwith them to camp, 
to the eminent satisfaction of at least on,e man in the regiment — 
the beef contractor. I once more was comjdimented by, and 
received the thanks of, the Colonel, who never withheld praise, 
when he believed an action merited it. 

The Colonel was now called away on an official visit to some 
friendly Indians under the command of Pete Ross, a brother of 



94 MEETING AN ACQUAINTANCE. 

my Captain, and I was selected as one of liis escort, with a de- 
tail of nineteen others. 

While sitting in the tent, a deputation of friendly chiefs ar- 
rived to arrange the preliminaries of the campaign against the 
Kickapoos, and judge of my surprise on seeing among the men 
the identical one who had been so anxious to convince me that 
I was a Texan Ranger, while on the road from the Caddo village 
to Fort Belknap. Before me stood Placido, Chief of the Tone- 
hues, who was now on the most friendly terms with the people 
he so lately dreaded, and he gave me a cordial greeting. His war- 
riors, as well as himself, recognized me instantly as the man 
they had catechised so severely ; " but, now," they said, " we all 
good friends, and go catch 'urn Comanche." 

I was greatly pleased with Placido. His name was given him 
by the Mexicans, on account of his gentle disposition and ami- 
able deportment ; and as I may have occasion to speak of him fre- 
quently in these pages, I will briefly describe him to the reader. 
He Avas about fifty-five years of age, five feet nine inches high, 
with black, keen eyes, deep chest ; he was also exceedingly mus- 
cular, but not corpulent. When the interpreter told hiin I was 
to be one of the party, he scrutinized me carefully, and, turning 
to one of his men, said, in broken Mexican, " ^ Stall waeno, (esta 
hueno).''' 

Once more the whole party extended their hands, telling me 
in half a dozen different languages, that we would be good 
friends. 



CHAPTER VII. 

EOKAPOO CAMPAIGN— INCIDENTS. 

^ In a short time after this consultation Colonel Smith started 
.n h,s ea™pa.g„ against the Kickapoos, who had recentlv been 
busy at all kmds of depredations on the settlements; but the'r 
exped,t.ons had all along been conducted so secretl^ that they 

country. Vfe found them well prepared, and they gave us a 

minTki'TeS: f "' " '" ^"' """'' '» '-™ ^alp Kadzi! 
minsk, a ternble storm came up, and the noise of the thunder 
and the flashes of the lightning caused another stamped amo: 
our pack-horses; and just as their speed was at its hthrt,: 
l-ghtn.ng strucic "Old Peg," a vicious pack-mule, ever r^ 'y „ 
do m,sch,ef m the herd, killing her instantly, and as nett y s 
a bullet could have dispatched her. ^ 

Old Peg had scarcely fallen when a vicious horse which al 
ways k,cked and pranced after being loaded, as if '; lee if t 
burden was well strapped on, knocked an ax ^t of a pack and 

:: iTiti "= " "" ""•' ^''''' "' ''' --^ ™' his h :st;.i„; 

ew f he w -r"""^ '" '"""" "-• The Indians, and nott 
Tooked ul it""' '"'"''' '° "°"' ""^ "' ^ ^^^ "--; b«' 

bad'^ui" z':iTJ:L':i T' '^^ ™'^'-' ^^^ '^-■^^ »^ 

of the men hi , . '" """"P' ™<' =' '^'■go number 

"e tc::d\ti;:Ct:utr^'^^^^ "^ '" '''^^ --'■'■- 

ber^Wdth'jTn""''''''' "" "' "='"°''^' ^'-^ """"''-"l i" -«- 

n e'sTnV , " 1 r" '■""™'' -■"<■—»'« &»- the Semi- 
noles and f.om lawless, marauding bands of Creeks, amounting 



96 KICKAPOO CAMPAIGN. 

in all, to about two thousand men ; and this force, instead of 
awaiting an attack, took the offensive at once. Not anticipating 
so ivarni and cordial a reception at so early a moment, at the 
hands of so small a tribe, we concluded to decline a meeting ; or, 
in other words, after holding a council of war, we resolved that 
it would be both politic and prudent to skedaddle ; and accord- 
ingly we mounted our sick men — some of them so weak they 
had to be fastened on with surcingles — and started on our re- 
treat. We commenced our retrograde movement at about nine 
o'clock at night, and in the morning we were at Camp Radzi- 
minski once more. We had but three hundred men in this ex- 
pedition ; but as the Kickapoos had no hope of cutting us off, 
and fearing that we would be reinforced, they very wisely gave 
over the pursuit. Indeed, throughout the whole affair the bel- 
ligerents seemed to be inspired with a mutual fear — each party 
dreading to come to a direct encounter with the other, which 
rendered the campaign, on the whole, not a little ludicrous. 
When we were in the Kickapoo country we dreaded an attack 
from the enemy ; and when the savages came in the vicinity of 
Radziminski they had a wholesome fear of annihilation there ; 
and consequently the campaign ended with — nobody hurt. Our 
surgeon and myself once strayed away from the command, 
and came nearly being captured ; but we escaped, and were the 
only ones in the party who Avere in danger. 

It was daylight, in the morning, and we believed ourselves far 
enough in advance of the savages to have time to rest a few 
minutes, and eat our breakfasts. Awhile before this I had been 
sick of a fever — the result of over- exertion while on a scout — 
and it had fallen into my lower limbs, causing ulcerations; my 
feet being so swollen that I could not even wear moccasins. We 
had encamped near a beautiful spring, at the house of a white 
man with an Indian Avife; and I had gone down to fill my can- 
teen, and bathe my fevered limbs; which I did some distance 
from the fountain itself. But some one of the Rangers — think- 
ing it a good chance to play a trick on me — sent information to the 
woman that I w^as washing my feet in the spring; but of this at 



A GENTLE SAVAGE. 97 

tlie time I knew nothing, nor was I informed of it wlien I reached 
the camp. Entirely without suspicion, I accordingly returned 
to the spring for water to make coffee, and on reaching it a very 
pretty squaw stepped out from a tree near by, and con- 
fronted me. She spoke in a cheerful tone, but there was a 
wicked look in her eye, and one hand was held behind her. Her 
glistening eye, and the fact that she concealed one of her hands, 
appeared strange ; but I was considerably more surprised when 
she addressed me in good English: 

"Is your name Pike?" 

"No," I answered in an off-hand way, and pushed for the 
spring. 

"What is your name, then?" she demanded, in a suspicious 
voice. 

" Tom Green ; but, madam, what do you want ?" 

" Why, I Avanted to see a man named Pike," said she, " who 
came down here, a few minutes ago, and washed his feet in my 
spring." 

It was now a plain case ; somebody had been perpetrating a 
joke at my expense. But I answered her coolly : 

"All right, madam, if you want to see him, I will send him 
down as soon as I go up." 

" I wish you would," she said viciously. 

Up I went, and addressing a messmate, named Moore, told 
him there was a woman at the spring, who wanted to see him 
immediately. 

He took his canteen with him, and started down the path, 
while I crept to the edge of the bluff to see what transpired. 
There was the squaw, again concealed behind the tree, watching 
Moore, who was advancing leisurely without the least sus- 
picion; and when he was conveniently near, she stepped out, 
and demanded : 

" Is your name Pike ?" 

" No," replied he. 

" You lie, you son of a gun ; did n't I just send a man after 
you, to tell you to come down here ?" 



98 "is your name pike?" 

The next instant she produced a big hickory club from the 
folds of her skirt, and, swinging it high in the air, was about to 
bring it heavily down on Moore's head, when he sprang quickly 
aside, and drew his pistol, and shouted: 

" Look here woman, if you hit me, I '11 be dad shammed if I 
do n't shoot you !" 

For a moment the squaw hesitated, and then lowering the club 
said : 

" If your name ain't Pike, what is it ?" 

" My name is Moore," said he, in a loud, defiant tone. 

" Well," said she, " look a-here, I want you to go to camp and 
tell Pike I want to see him." 

"All right," said Moore, glad to get rid of her ; " I'll send him 
down right away ;" and up he came, laughing heartily at the 
joke. 

I met him at the top of the hill and motioned for him to keep 
still ; asking at the same time, who next we should send down ; 
but our sport was suddenly spoiled by the order to " saddle up." 
While this was being done, several of the men went down to the 
spring to fill their canteens ; and as each filed down the hill, the 
squaw confronted him, with, 

"Is your name Pike?" each time only to be disappointed; but 
requested that " Pike" would be sent down at once. 

After having mounted, I rode down to the bluff and called out : 

" Madam, my name is Pike ; what will you have ?" 

" you villain," she shouted; " Is that you? just come down 
here, and I '11 show you how to wash your feet in my spring ; 
you dirty villain. Just wait till I get there," she added, in any- 
thing but an amiable voice, " and I '11 show you," and she started 
for me ; but I raised my hat poHtely, bowed, and wished her a 
good day. The last I heard of her was : 

"You dirty villain, I'll show you — " and her angry voice 
died away in the distance. 

While in camp at Radziminski, an Indian named Bowlegs, (so 
called because one of his legs had been broken, and so badly set 
that it was crooked), came to me with a very long face, and told 



BIG MEDICINE. 99 

me of a very grave misfortune Avhicli had occurred to him. He 
had lost his eagle feather and his " big medicine ;" acd he insisted 
that I should go out with him to find them. I readily consented, 
and following his trail for thirty miles, in the direction of the 
agency, we were successful. I discovered the treasures first, 
picked them up, and handed them to him ; and never, at any 
other time, did I witness such excessive exhibitions of delight. 
He danced, and capered, and shouted, like a boy with a holyday 
ride in prospect. 

The feather and the "big medicine," are prized by the Indi- 
an above almost all other possessions. The feather is, so to 
speak, the index to his nobility ; and never did Spanish medieval 
hidalgo cling Avith greater pride to the banner of his family, 
than does the Comanche to the wild bird's feathers with which 
he decks his person. The warrior and his deeds are known by 
the feather, almost as particularly as they could be by a written 
chronicle of his achievements. If the quill is painted red, it in- 
dicates that the Avearer has killed an enemy in battle ; if split, it 
tells you that two warriors- have fallen by his hand ; and for each 
additional victim to his prowess, another plume is added ; so that 
you have but to count the feathers, in order to determine, at 
least, the number of glorious achievements of the warrior. No 
one is permitted to wear a feather until he has been first to 
charge up and touch a fallen foe — been first in at the death ; for 
those who thus recklessly throw themselves into the breach, are 
accounted the bravest ; are accounted above the man even, who, 
at a distance, brought the enemy down by his bullet. 

The "big medicine" was a root about an inch and a half lono-, 
somewhat resembling calamus, and it was bound to the feather 
by a strip of red flannel, about a foot long and an inch wide, 
and is w^orn tied to the scalp lock on the crown of the head; it 
is regarded as a charm against all the ills " which flesh is heir 
to ;" and especially renders the wearer invulnerable to the bullets 
and arrows of the enemy. I failed to see it in that light, but 
took care not to make my doubts manifest. 

From this Indian I learned a tradition somewhat after the 

l.OfC. 



100 INDIAN SUPERSTITION. 

order of the one concerning the founders of Rome. Crossing a 
pkiin on our way back to camp, we saw a very large wolf, which 
I asked him to shoot with his bow, as he was nearer to it than 
myself. He, however, peremptorily declined, saying : 

"You shoot 'um; me no shoot 'um." 

" Why you no shoot 'um ?" I inquired. But he only repeated 
what he had said before, with greater emphasis. 

I then became curious to know what superstition prevailed in 
liie tribe to prevent the killing of so mischievous and vicious an 
animal ; and on putting my inquiries, I learned that there is a 
tradition among the Tonchues, that the first of their tribe was 
nurtured during his infancy by a she wolf; and that the animal 
for this reason is regarded as sacred by that tribe. Where do 
such traditions originate ? I leave such things to the anti- 
quarian 



CHAPTER VIII. 

INDIAN WARFARE — SCALPING — CANNIBALISM. 

About the 20tli of May prepcarations were completed for a, 
grand campaign against the Indians who occupied the country 
near the head-waters of the Red, South Canadian, North Cana- 
dian, Red fork, Arkansas, and Ciraaron rivers ; the invading forces 
to consist of reguhxrs, rangers, and friendly Indians ; and upon 
the rangers devolved the duty of scouring the great salt plain, 
or desert, which disfigures so large a portion of the American 
map ; and upon which the unlucky traveler or soldier is required 
to endure almost every extreme of heat, hunger, and thir.^^t ; as 
there is no protection from the scorching rays of the suu. no 
means of procuring food, and few fountains of fresh water. 

"While on this expedition, I was sent out on one occasion witb 
a party of friendly Indians, about thirty in number, under charge 
of Casa Maria, a famous Caddoe warrior and chief, to the head- 
waters of the False "Washita, and thence north-west, across the 
divide, between that stream and the Canadian, with a view to re- 
connoitering and ascertaining if any of the enemy were lurking in 
the vicinity. We were riding along in regular Indian style, with 
flankers at every side, and a small guard far in the advance, 
when suddenly the latter wheeled their horses and waved a scarf 
or handkerchief, as a token that we were in the presence of 
danger; and in an instant, flankers and skirmishers came in up- 
on us at a run, while Ave of the main body halted to ascertain 
particulars. 

The advance guard, on arriving, reported that they had dis- 
covered a village of at least a hundred lodges, in the distance ; 
and from all appearances, they felt convinced that we were 
in the neighborhood of a superior force. Casa Maria, not con- 
tent to hear the report, repaired at once to the spot, to view the 



102 A KECONNOISSANCE. 

scene for himself ; but before starting, he require d his interpreter 
to ask me if I desired to see our common enemy, for myself, in 
their houses. I replied in the affirmative, when he turned to his 
own men, and pointing back to the agency, addressed them 
in Caddoe ; and though I did not understand his language, I 
judged its tenor, from the fact that the whole party turned for 
home, on anything else than a snail's gallop. They looked a 
little disappointed, but the word of the chief was law to them ; 
it was his province to command — their's to obey. 

When they had departed, the doughty Chief, pistol in hand, 
made a sign for me to follow him, which I did with eagerness. 
He led the way, at a charge, riding over the ridge and down to 
the village, at full speed. On, on, we rode, he appeared deter- 
mined to storm the village alone. The astounded denizens of 
the lodges were unprepared for the spectacle ; and not under- 
standing the character of their visitors, were stupid with won- 
der, and gazed in amazement on us, as we almost flew toward 
them. Riding to a point so near that we could distinguish their 
features, and they ours, a sudden movement convinced us that they 
now knew us as we were — hostile warriors. The men at once 
sprang to their arms, and horses ; but before they could mount, 
we wheeled in a long sweeping circle, at the same time discharg- 
ing our pistols among them, and then left them, greeting them 
with a long and loud yell of exultation, and the well known 
war whoop of the Caddoe. 

As we gained the top of the ridge, in another direction from 
that in which we first made our appearance, and about two 
miles from the village, we cast a glance rearward, to ascertain 
what they were doing. "We could distinctly see the warriors 
mounting in hot haste their steeds ; and the squaws and boys 
runnino; to and fro with accouterments, suitable for immediate 
chiise — everything being in the highest state of excitement. I 
now Avondered what adventures would next fall to our lot, when 
the Chief dismounted, tightened his girth, and motioned me to 
do hkewise, which I did. 

Without exhibiting the least excitement, the Chief stood his 



WAITING FOR THE ENEMY. 103 

ground, till he saw the Comanches all mounted ; then yelling at 
the top of his voice : "whita, whita, por los mugers," and giving 
his pursuers a parting war whoop, he struck out in an entirely 
different direction from that taken by his men. On we flew, 
across the prairie, till we reached a ridge, which we crossed, 
after which we turned our course, and ran down a creek in the 
course taken by his men ; and after flying at half speed, for about 
two hours, we reached a creek which emptied into the Washita, 
when we slackened our horses to a walk, for ten or fifteen minutes, 
after which we again started off at full gallop, to a point near 
the mouth of the creek, where we came upon our late comrades, 
halted and ready for a fight. Casa Maria at once deployed his 
men under cover, after which he sent his horses down into the 
bed of the stream, at the same time motioning me to go with the 
horse guard. I shook my head, when he called his interpreter, 
who informed me that he wanted me to keep at a safe distance, 
so that I would receive no injury, as he wanted me to ride quick, 
and tell the white men what I had seen. I told him that I 
would not go to the rear like a woman, but would bear my part 
in the impending battle ; and that if I was killed, the other 
white men could do as I had done — come and see for themselves. 
He then beckoned me to approach him, and told his interpreter 
to inform me that he desired I should keep by his side. 

We were all well concealed, behind bushes, rocks, and trees, 
lying down as closely to the ground as possible, to await 
the unsuspecting Comanches, who believed that they had but 
two men to contend with. Nor did we lie long idle. Soon the 
enemy, some forty in number, came scouring in, at full speed, 
closely following the trail we had made, as if by instinct. On 
they came, till they arrived within rifle range, when Casa Maria 
drew from his pouch a whistle made from tne thigh bone of an 
eagle, and blew one long, low note, which was followed up by 
three short, quick, piercing ones ; and instantly a volley from 
Caddoe rifles, greeted the flank of the over confident and unsus- 
pecting Comanches, who broke in every direction — some flying 
from the field, not to return again. A portion of the savages 



104 INDIAN CRUELTIES. 

however, more resolute than the remainder, soon rallied, and 
seemed determined to hold us, till reinforcements arrived from 
the village ; and they at once commenced a rapid and well di- 
rected fire. But they fought at a disadvantage, as we were 
thoroughly protected by our position, while they were compelled 
to stand out upon the open ground. They did not dismount, as 
is usual ; but each warrior rode up within range, discharged his 
piece, and galloped off to a place of safety, where he reloaded, 
and returned to discharge it again. 

A word of command from our Chief, almost instantly changed 
the whole aspect of the struggle. The men, on hearing it, 
bounded from their places of concealment, and with guns, pistols, 
bows, and lances, charged out upon the mounted Comanches. 
Arrows flew thick and fast for a brief interval ; and rapidly we 
were nearing the foe, and a hand to hand encounter seemed 
iminent ; but before our band had reached the spot where our 
enemies stood, they wheeled their animals, and fled from the field, 
utterly foiled and beaten. 

Once masters of the field, the whistle of the Caddoe Chief 
was heard again, and instantly his men commenced disposing 
of the fallen Comanches. There were on the ground, seven 
killed, and nine wounded ; and the dispatching of the latter was 
at once commenced. All were slain, and their scalps added to 
the trophies of the victory. 

Some of the wounded struggled fiercely with lance and bow, 
but all were either shot or tomahawked by the infuriated but 
exulting Caddocs. Some yielded up their lives with stoical 
firmness, chanting their own death song, though suff'ering the 
most intense agony, until the Caddoes would leap upon them, 
and, with a blow of the tomahawk, end their torture in a bloody 
death. Others begged piteously that their lives might bo spared ; 
but there Avas no mercy in the breast of the victor for the foe, 
though fallen and helpless. 

As long as the fight lasted, I could shoot and yell with the 
best of them ; but, the struggle over and the success complete, 
mv heart sank within me, and I sickened at the bloodv work in 



PROCESS OF SCALPING. 105 

■which my comrades appeared to take so great a delight. But 
there was no esca^pe for me ; I must stand by and witness it all, 
without a murmur or a remonstrance. To have interposed an 
objection would but have added to the magnitude of the tortures 
inflicted ; and, perhaps, brought down upon my own head the 
vengeance of Casa Maria and his men. That I might, at least, 
turn away from the scene, I mounted my horse and rode a short 
distance, as if looking out for Comanches, till the work of 
slaughter had ended. 

Scalping, barbarous as it is, is reduced to an art among the 
Indians. The victor cuts a clean circle around the top of the 
head, so that the crown may form the center, and the diameter 
of the scalp exceed six inches; then, winding his fingers in the 
hair, he puts one foot on the neck of the prostrate foe, and with 
a vigorous pull tears the reeking scalp from the skull. To the 
dead, this, of course, would not be absolute cruelty; but it is 
too frequently the case that the process is performed and the 
scalp severed while yet the mangled victim lives ; and there are 
instances where parties have recovered, and long survived this 
barbarous mutilation. Occasionally, a warrior is not satisfied 
with the part of the scalp usually taken, but bares the skull en- 
tirely, and carries away in triumph even the ears of his victim. 

The scalping concluded and the trophies gathered up and se- 
cured, another shrill whistle brought the victors into their sad- 
dles, and we began a precipitate retreat to our own village. For 
several miles we marched in solid column; but an order from 
the Chief scattered the crowd, and every man took the direction 
which best suited his fancy. 

I was now once more alone with the Chief. Dismounting, we 
suffered our wearied steeds to rest and graze for some time, 
keeping a sharp lookout, the while, to prevent surprise. After 
the last of his men had disappeared, the Chief mounted his 
horse, at the same time pointing in the direction of the Coman- 
che camp. It was now evident that our enemies had been re- 
inforced, and were returning to the pursuit. A light gray col- 
umn of dust was rising, the cause of which we were at no loss 



106 CA^fXTBALlSil. 

decipher. "We must hasten away or our scalps might soon 
grace the lodge of the Comanche, as a compensation for the 
losses they had that day sustained. 

We rode rapidly in a southeasterly direction till after night ; 
we came to an elevation which might be denominated either a 
high hill or a small mountain, near which was a dense thicket. 
Reaching this, Casa Maria again sounded the whistle, the tones 
at first being soft and plaintive, but afterward gradually deep- 
ening like the screaming of a frightened bird. It was instantly 
answered from the thicket, when we galloped up, and saw In- 
dians — friends — ri^e up, like Rhoderic Dhu's clansmen, and 
greet us. 

We laid down to sleep, supperless, and by daylight in the 
morning were off again for the agency, at which we arrived 
without accident ; and here for the first time, I discovered that 
half a dozen of the Caddoes were wounded — some of them se- 
verely. I remained here only long enough to enable my horse 
to recruit a little, when I left for Radziminski, to deliver the 
Chief's report to the Colonel. 

On the following morning, I started back again to the agency, 
bearing a message from the Colonel to Placido, who was then 
at that point. On arriving at the Tonchue village, I found 
everything in a state of deep excitement. A party of wild In- 
dians had invaded their territory with a view to stealing their 
horses : but, being discovered in time, the intruders were driven 
off before they had accomplished anything. 

A party was just starting in pursuit, and desiring to see the 
fun, I secured a fresh horse and started with it at full speed. 
We chased the fugitives some fifteen miles out. They numbered 
thirteen — eleven Comanches and two Kiowas, all of whom were 
killed and scalped. The bodies of the slain were carried back 
by the victorious Tonchues, who made a feast upon them. This 
may seem strange to one unaccustomed to the manners of this 
and other southwestern tribes; but, shocking as it is, the cus- 
tom of eating their enemies slain in battle is almost universal 
among them. 



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BCALP DANCE. 109 

'\Mien I saw the Comanches killed and scalped, I had hoped 
the affair would, at least, end there ; and when I saw the victors 
carrying off the bodies of the slain, I could not conceive of 
their motive, for, up to that time, I had not learned that I was 
among cannibals ; but once at the village, I was not long in dis- 
cerning what was to follow. The bodies had hardly been brought 
in before the women commenced digging holes in the ground, 
over which to cook them. The bodies were disemboweled and 
then cut up, and the pieces put upon stakes over the fire and 
roasted ; after which they were divided out — every member of 
the tribe, even down to the smallest child, getting a share. 

At first I tried to avoid seeing the disgusting spectacle ; but 
when the Indians saw this, they insisted on my presence. Dur- 
ing the cooking, a grand war dance was progressing, at which 
all the achievements of the tribe from the bec-innino; of time, 
when the little primogenitor of the Tonchues was nurtured at 
the breast of a she-wolf, down to the victory, of that day, were 
duly paraded, and expatiated upon by improvised song, set to 
an unearthly music, timed by a monotonous tap, tap, tap, on the 
little deerskin drum. A pole was erected and the scalps dis- 
played upon it, when the grand scalp dance was commenced. 
At first, only the warriors who had taken one of these trophies 
joined in the ceremony; but afterward the old men fell in, and 
gradually the crowd increased until the entire tribe, save the 
women, were whirling in circles around the scalp pole. 

That portion of the flesh which was not eaten on the ground, 
was given out, and taken to the various lodges, for future use, 
and to be set before visitors, as a choice delicacy. As I was 
sitting beneath the shade of a mesquit tree, three or four vener- 
able heads of the village came to me, bearing two large pieces 
of the meat, which appeared to have been cut from the thigh, 
and offered them to me to eat. The flesh was of a rusty color, 
and had an unearthly, grave-yard smell; and this with the sight 
sickened me. I refused the proffered delicacy politely, but 
firmly ; seeing which, Tocasan, a war chief, and several others 
of the principal men, ^vho had been in the chase, gathered about, 
7 



110 GETTING SOBER. 

and said very earnestly; "eat it, Cah-liah-ut," Avhicli was the 
name they gave me, " it will make you mighty much brave ; 
mighty much brave." 

Seeing that something must be done, I told them I "wanted to 
go to a house near the agency, where I would get some bread 
and milk to eat with it. But no sooner was I out of their 
sight, than I buried it, and returned to their dance, which was 
every moment getting more and more frenzied. They had 
managed, by some means, to secure a supply of whisky, and 
their yells and screams, beside other frightful noises, together 
with their frantic gestures, made them appear more like demons 
than human beings. 

In the midst of their excitement, I left them for the night, 
and on my return in the morning, found the whole population 
completely exhausted, stupid, and almost torpid. During the 
day, however, they sobered off, and on the following morning 
were ready to join us in a grand circle hunt for wild horses. 

This is a peculiar kind of chase; and the only one which 
ever results in much success. A column of hunters, consisting 
of two or three hundred men — sometimes even more — is formed 
in the same order as if on the war path, with an advance guard, 
and numerous flankers, to look out for horses. As soon as a 
herd is discovered, the column is notified, by some preconcerted 
signal, when it instantly halts, and awaits the orders of the 
Chief, who always rides in the direction indicated and recon- 
noitres, accompanied by four or five of the principal men ol 
the tribe. This done, they ascertain the coui-se of the wind ; 
and taking advantage of that, march their forces toward the 
herd, keeping at a great distance away, so as not to excite alarm. 

At intervals of a mile or so, a band of twenty-five or thirty 
men will be posted, until the game is entirely surrounded. 
These squads again deploy, to right and left, as the movements 
of the herd, or the nature of the ground require. When the 
circle has been completed, another signal is given, and the ring 
is contracted as much as it is possible to do, without alarming 
the herd. As soon as the wild horses scent the hunters, the 



WILD HORSE HUNTING. Ill 

chase begins. Off go the animals, in the vain hope of escaping 
the enemy, which they suppose to be approaching only from 
one side; but no sooner do they approach the circle, than 
several hunters show themselves, and turn the frightened herd 
back again; and thus they are kept galloping across, and 
around the sac formed for their reception, for hours, and until 
they are so wearied that they are readily taken, by the con- 
tracting, and closing up of the circle. Occasionally these 
horses, over frightened, make a desperate charge upon some 
single spot in the line by which they are surrounded, and thus 
make their escape ; but this is not usual. And even then, all do 
not escape, for some of them are sure to be lassoed in the 
melee. 

Our chase was a moderately successful one. We encircled a 
herd, and worried the horses, till they were nearly exhausted, 
and then succeeded in obtaining a number. As soon as we 
had a noose on one of the animals, it was tied and hoppled, and 
then let loose, in order to create greater confusion in the herd. 
After securing all the best stock, they were driven home, and 
turned over to the women and boys, whose duty it is to train 
them for the saddle, and otherwise render them serviceable to 
the Avarriors. 



CHAPTER IX. 



"WHITE CAPTIVE. 



Col. Johnston, "who had returned to his command, now un 
dertook another expedition against the Kickapoos; and after 
marching about two hundred miles through the country and ex- 
hausting a large number of horses, we succeeded in running them 
out of the country; and though we had no fight with them, wc 
effectually prevented further depredations on that part of the 
frontier for some time. The only parties who lost their lives by 
the expedition were two white men, who were living in a little 
cabin on the Big "Washita river. They doubtless believed us 
hostile Indians and fled ; and mistaking them we charged after 
and killed both. On learning who our victims were, deep regret 
pervaded the entire regiment; but it was unavailing, and wc 
could only perform decently the last rites due to the departed. 
The unfortunate victims of a mistake, were doubtless hunters or 
trappers, and perfectly innocent of conniving with the Indians, 
in their depredations upon the frontiers. They were, judging 
from appearances, but recent settlers in the vicinity. 

After our return to Radziminski, the men were allowed to re- 
cruit their horses and rest themselves. During the months of 
July and August scouting parties were sent up each of the forks 
of Red river, the south and north Canadian, and even to the 
Colorado and the Brazos. "We had, in these scouts, numerous 
adventures, and some exceedingly hard times, as well as a fair 
degree of sport. The country over which we traveled is gener 
ally barren and almost destitute of water and timber. The few 
springs and streams are filled with bitter or salt water, which is 
almost unpalatable. Everywhere rock salt is abundant; thr 



IN THE WICHITA MOUNTAINS 113 

river banks are full of it, and the waters of the streams are so 
impregnated by contact with it, that a man Avill hardly sink in 
in them. As the streams are dry during a portion of the year, 
thousands of barrels of pure crystallized salt is left in the 
beds, only a^vaiting the hand of man to gather and use it. 

On the head waters of the Colorado, we surprised and burned 
a small village, but took no prisoners. Our horses were jaded, 
and we could not follow up our successes, or we could have an- 
nihilated the savages who inhabited it. As it was, six or seven 
men and one woman were killed. 

The Wichita mountains are located between the Red river 
on the south, and the Canadian on the north. They are not ex- 
traordinarily high — the elevation being only from six to fifteen 
hundred feet. They are isolated from each other, and do not 
lie in a chain or range; but each peak rises by itself, from a 
perfectly level plain. The valleys between the mountains vary 
in breadth from half a mile to four or five miles; and several 
small creeks or rivulets are found running through them, whose 
banks are fringed with a luxuriant growth of Cottonwood trees; 
while other portions of the valleys are covered with the mesquit, 
a low scraggy bush or tree, peculiar to southern latitudes. 
It bears a long slim bean, which though pleasant to the taste, is 
not a fit article of diet. 

The most singular thing to me, was that the mountains were 
composed exclusively of great masses of dark gray sandstone, 
and only covered with a very slight layer of earth; so slight, 
indeed, that it could sustain no vegetation save a sickly tuft of 
moss or grass, with here and there an exceptional locality; 
while the plain in which they stood, is entirely devoid of rock. 
In many of these elevations, the layers of stone had a dip of 
nearly forty-five degrees. 

The plain is covered with the best quality of grass, affording 
pasturage for immense herds of buffalo, antelope, and horses. 
The mountains and river take their name from a very consider- 
able branch of the Pawnee Indians, called the Wichitas. Al- 
though long possessing separate political organizations — if the 



11-4 ABUNDANCE OF REPTILES. 

aborigines can be said to have politics at all — the two 
branches speak nearly identically the same language, being 
able to converse with each other fluently — an uncommon thing 
among savages, after a few years of separation. If the lan- 
fruaore of the savage is ever refined, that of the Pawnee and 
"Wichita must be ; at least it is smooth, soft, and very musical. 

In this region, game is exceedingly plenty. Bear, otter, 
wolves, deer, turkey, etc.; and in addition, poisonous serpents 
are numerous and large. These last named are great seekers 
after comfort, and are ever hunting out a good bed to rest in. 
It is no uncommon thing to find them in the morning in posses- 
sion of your best blanket; and sometimes your rather too inti- 
mate bedfellow. As for tarantulas and centipedes — they are in- 
numerable ; but they seldom do any harm. 

The Indians never kill the tarantula; but when it is found in 
camp, they carry it away with great care, and let it loose. If 
urged to destroy one of them they refuse, on the ground that if 
one is killed, its companions will revenge its death, by biting 
somebody's horse. The centipede would soon become so numer- 
ous that life would not be safe in Texas, if it were not for an- 
other species of reptile, the lizard — their active and deadly 
enemy. I have seen one of these animals attack a centipede as 
large as itself, kill it, and carry it to the top of a tree, and there 
devour it at leisure. 

On one of our forays toward the head-waters of the Colorado 
we killed a white woman, and captured another with her child. 
They were in an Indian village, upon which Ave charged with 
great suddenness and violence ; and though a portion of the inhab- 
itants made their escape, all who remained were killed, including 
this woman. On seeing us, she turned the horse on which she 
was mounted, threw her buffalo robe around her, and coverinf^ 
her head, shouted, "Americano ! Americano !" But the men did 
not know her sex, nor understand her words, and in a moment 
she fell riddled with bullets. The white woman, who was fortu- 
nate enough to be captured, was taken down to the settlements, 
where she was identified as a niece of Captain Parker, an old 



WHITE WOMAN CAPTURED. 115 

frontiersman, who was among the earliest pioneers in that re- 
gion; having built himself a fort, which is still known by his 
name. He was attacked one night, when this woman was a girl 
of nine years of age, and the whole family, except the Captain 
and one or two others, supposed to have been killed. His wife 
was brutally murdered in the presence of her children. There 
were several families in the fort at the time; and but few 
of the entire number assembled escaped. The children had all 
been taken out on the trail a short distance, and, except this one 
murdered. 

Although she could distinctly recollect all the details of the 
affair, and the form and features of her mother, she had entirely 
forgotten her native tongue, and we could only communicate 
with her through an interpreter. She happened to have her 
youngest child with her, at the time of her capture, which had 
been named To-ca-san, for one of the war chiefs of the tribe. 
It was about three years old, and violent in its disposition as a 
catamount. She informed us that she had one son, who Avas a 
good warrior, and also another boy and girl. She informed us 
that she had never seen a white person over nine years old al- 
lowed to live; and that she had been a spectator on numerous 
occasions when they had been put to death; and that it was un- 
common to allow even a child to escape with its life. " Their 
prisoners,' she continued, "are tortured, and then killed and 
eaten.". 

On the 15th of August Ave left Radziminski finally. All the 
men who had lost their horses, or Avhose animals were unfit for 
service, Avere sent back to Fort Belknap, Avith quarter rations, 
but Avith sufficient ammunition to enable them to subsist off the 
country. After sending aAvay these. Colonel Johnston found 
himself Avith barely one hundred and ten men; and it was Avith 
this small force that he proposed to invade the Indian country, 
and teach the savages to respect the property and power of the 
Avhite man. The friendly Indians regarded this determination 
as the freak of a madman ; and the chiefs Avaited upon him in a 
body, in order to induce him to desist from his undertaking. 



116 FRIENDLY ADVICE OF PLACIDO. 

They represented to liiiu tlie nature of the country through 
^vhieh he must travel, the scarcity of grass, water, timber, and 
game. He might possibly find bulfalo, but the chances were de- 
cidedly against it. They also expatiated on the number, power, 
and prowess of the Comanches and Kiowas, as well as their des- 
peration; and they advised the Colonel to fall back on the set- 
tlements, and guard the frontier during the coming winter, and 
then renew the campaign in the spring. 

'• You have already done much service," they said ; " and your 
horses are not good, and your young men are tired ; let us now 
go to our own country, and wait for the good grass in the 
spring ; then we will come and help you fight the Comanches." 
But despite their eloquence the Colonel Avas inexorable; he 
would make a campaign at once. 

Placido represented vividly the hard fate of his command if it 
advanced ; how his men must suffer from hunger and thirst ; and 
how almost inevitable defeat awaited an invasion by so small a 
party. But he refused to listen to the words of his friend. 
Discovering this, the chiefs united in firmly, but respectfully 
informing the Colonel that if he undertook the campaign, it must 
be alone ; they would not accompany him, as but one result could 
attend the expedition. 

Colonel Johnston was sorely disappointed at this desertion by 
his allies. lie had relied upon their co-operation; but that 
reliance had proved delusive. When the friendly Indians had 
mounted, they parted with every manifestation of deepest friend- 
ship ; and, for my part, I felt deep regrets at the separation. 
We had long been together, and were really getting attached to 
each other. Before leaving, many of them embraced me affec- 
tionately ; and the Tonchues insisted on my accompanying them, 
their chief, Placido, desiring me to teach his young men how to 
read and write. " If you will do this," said he, " I will give you 
all my ponies when I die ;" all his wealth was in these ani- 
mals, the number owned by him being about four hundred. 
I informed him that I would go to his village at some other time ; 
but at present I could not accompany him. 



INDIAN FIDELITY. 117 

" No," tliey said, " we will never see Cah-liali-ut* again." 
Six of the Indians, notwithstanding the determination of the 
main body, determined to remain with us, and share our for- 
tunes. They were, "Jack," a Shawnee; "Black Foot," a Dela- 
ware; "Neighbors, a Kechai, and "Yellow Wolf," a Tonchue; 
"John," a Kiowa, and "John Socio," a Cherokee. These men 
"v\"ere faithful to us throughout, and only left the command when 
discharged by order from the government. They were certainly 
devoted to us, and were ever ready to take their part in the 
hardships of the campaign, and endure all the privations inci- 
dent to it. But these Indians were exceptions to the general 
rule. 

* This word means " good;" and by it I was known among all the friendly Indians. 



C H A P TEE X. 

COL. JOHNSTON S COMANCHE CAMPAIGN A GREAT FAILURE 

FRIGHTFUL SUFFERING OF THE RANGERS. 

Not deterred by tlie desertion of our allies, Colonel Jolmston 
determined to set out on the campaign. At first our march Avas 
in the direction of Red river ; but when near the source of that 
stream we turned in the direction of the head waters of the False 
Washita, where we engaged in another hunt for wild horses, which 
resulted in the capture of a number of fine ponies — just what we 
most needed, as many of our animals had been worn out by cam- 
paigning. Perhaps, however, ours was not altogether a fair game, 
as we fell in with the herd when nearly run down by the In- 
dians ; and hence we had little difficulty in securing our prey. 

We saw the savages and horses coming over the prairie at full 
speed, but they could not see us; and discovering that there 
was but a small part}'", we formed in a circle, under cover of a 
hill, and immediately in front of the horses ; and, as the herd 
passed, we dashed in between them and their pursuers. At the 
first sight of us, the Indians wheeled and fled. For ni^'self, I 
noosed a beautiful strawberry roan mare, with a white croup, 
covered Avith black spots ; but she was fat, and strong, and snap- 
ped ray lariat, carrying away the larger portion of the rope. I 
need not here repeat the language I used when she escaped me ; 
suffice it to say, my reflections were not of the most pleasant 
character, and I am afraid I gave vent to words more expressive 
than elegant. 

During our march, we found an abundance of game as far as 
Antelope hills, on the South Canadian river, in the Pan Handle 
of Texas ; but after crossing the Canadian, we saw no other wild 
animals than buffalo ; but these were plenty, which indicated 
that the predictions of the friendly chief would be falsified. 



SAVING BUFFALO MEAT. 119 

Up to this time, we had done well, and had never lacked for 
water, though some of it was not of the best quality ; and thus 
encouraged, we pushed on, following the Marcy trail to the fam- 
ous line of 36° 30,' which is the northern boundary of the State 
of Texas. On crossing the Canadian, we readied a beautiful 
ST^eet water creek, where we stopped for a day's hunt; and as 
buffalo could be seen in every direction, we separated into par- 
ties of six or eight, and started on the chase ; and, in a few 
hours, we had the ground strewn with dead and dying animals. 

After becoming wearied with the sport, we commenced saving 
the choicest parts of the meat — the hump steak, shoulder cuts, and 
loins — which Avere lashed to our saddles and carried to the 
camp. When again at our camp, we stretched ropes like a 
clothes lines, and proceeded to cut up our meat in long, thin 
strips, and hang it out to dry. This is the universal method 
among hunters and Indians, of curing buffalo meat — no salt be- 
ing used. It is exposed to the heat of the sun during the day, 
and is taken down in the evening, before the dew falls, and put 
in the mess sacks. For three or four days it requires airing, 
until the moisture disappears ; and in a few days more it may 
be opened. 

From Sweet "Water creek, we crossed over to the valley of the 
North Canadian — a stream which seems to puzzle geographers 
immensely. According to some authorities, it is sixty miles 
longer, and according to others, as much shorter than it really is. 
Its exact source is in the Texas Pan Handle, in longitude 23 deg. 
from Washington. It is small, with clear water, and for some 
distance down it, there is no timber but cotton wood. As wo 
approached it, game became scarcer ; and, when once across, all 
signs of wild animals disappeared. For days, we could not 
see a crow, or even one of those little brown birds, so plentiful 
in every prairie region. 

We had intended to go from the Korth Canadian to the Salt 
fork of the Arkansas, but missed our reckoning and struck 
the Red fork. It was a long, and Avcarisome march, and we all 
suffered severely from thirst, and many of the men from hunger. 



120 THROUGH THE DESERT. 

On tlie Red fork, Ave divided up our little stores equally, and 
turned up Hard Wood creek, heading directly for Santa Fe. 
During this march, we suffered greatly from hunger. The stream 
on which we were is a famous resort for Kiowas, but they had 
all left it, and gone to a section where game was to be had. 
All ulonn- its banks, there Avere evidences that but a short time 
before, there had been a great number of them camped in the vi- 
cinity. This is a most singular stream — but eight feet Avide, 
and dry as a floor at its mouth ; Avhile three miles up it Avas 
fourteen feet wide, with a current of clear, SAvift running Avater ; 
and three miles further toward its source, it Avas the same Avidth, 
and two feet deep ; and after traveling five days more, in the di- 
rection of its head Avaters, it measured thirty yards in Avidth, 
and Avns, at least twenty feet deep ; and it Avas yet another day's 
journey to its head ; but Avhether or not it increased in size all 
the Avay, I can 'not tell. 

We Avcre all out of rations Avhen Ave left Hard Wood creek ; 
and as to Captain Fitzhugh's company, it had been out since 
two days before our arrival at the Hed fork of the Arkansas. 
After traveling in the direction of Santa Fe for some days, Ave 
found so much Indian sign, that after due deliberation, the offi- 
cers determined to return in the direction of Fort Belknap. 
The chances of our seeing home looked rather gloomy Avhen Ave 
reflected that we had four hundred miles to travel through a 
region Ave kncAV to be destitute of game; the most sanguine 
reader, I presume, Avould scarcely venture to say that our pros- 
pects Avere flattering. 

From Hard Wood creek we crossed to the Mesquit, one of the 
tributaries of the South Canadian ; and here Ave began to feel 
ourselves safe from an attack by a superior force of savages, as 
the sign was not plentiful and Avas very old. On this stream 
Ave -encamped in a large grove of most beautiful young cotton- 
Avoods, near Avhich Avas a bluff" thirty feet high, Avith a projecting 
cliff", almost forming a cave. Near the foot of this Ave found the 
skeleton of a man and of a huge bear — perhaps a grizzly. The 
arras of the man had been crushed and the ribs broken ; Avhile 



CURING A RATTLE-SNAKE BITE. 121 

near by lay the irons of a rifle with part of the mutilated stock, 
and a large bowie knife, of the pattern known as the Arkansas 
tooth-pick. Judging from appearances, the man had stood on 
the ground and shot the bear on the level of the cliff; and that 
the animal, though mortally wounded, had leaped down, and 
after a desperate struggle, killed the hunter. How long they 
had lain there was a mere matter for conjecture ; but, doubtless, 
the period might be measured by years. No name was on the 
gun or knife, and no memorial remained to tell who the unfor- 
tunate hunter was ; but the surgeon, after examining the bones, 
pronounced them to belong to a white man. 

While on this stream, we had a mule bitten by an enormous 
rattle-snake, and none of us knew .what to do in the matter. 
As soon, however, as we had reached the camp, Shawnee Jack 
examined the wound, after which he took a survey of the ground 
for some distance, till his eye rested on a particular plant, when 
he took out his bowie knife and dug it up by the roots. The 
root was a long one, somewhat resembling a small sweet potato, 
both as to shape and size; and Jack at once bit off a piece, which 
he commenced chewing till ho had rendered it plastic; after which 
he bound it on the wound, which was a severe one; each fang of 
the reptile having cut a slit in the hide of the animal, at least 
five inches long ; and a single night, under the influence of this 
wonderful restorative, sufficed to render the animal entirely 
sound again. 

We were now suffering terribly from hunger ; and in every 
direction our eyes were searching for something to satisfy our 
craving appetites ; but we saw nothing till we reached the South 
Canadian river, at the mouth of Mesquit creek. There we came 
upon a group of low, sandy hills, covered with grape vines, — no 
other vegetation, however, not even grass being in sight — young 
and thrifty, and loaded with fruit — the first of the kind I ever 
saw. This was indeed a God-send to us; the children of Israel 
never devoured manna more greedily than we did these grapes ; 
and having satisfied our appetites, we carried away as many as 
we could put in our haversacks and camp kettles. How these 



122 ll^'DIA^^s in sight. 

vines happened to grow there is a mystery; and "why they were 
so unusually thrifty, considering the soil, is a problem I despair 
of solving. 

Crossing to the South side of the Canadian, we passed over 
Dry river, which appeared to be the only stream in the country 
which afforded any water. On the banks of this river we found 
a small growth of mesquit and hackberry bushes ; and so famished 
were a portion of the command, that they actually devoured the 
dry mesquit beans, — which at that time of the year are as hard 
as hickory wood — with greediness. Of those who were ravenous 
enough to eat tliem, I was one. From the valley of Dry river, 
we crossed a plain to a stream called White Fish creek, though 
why so called I am unable to divine, as I do not think there ever 
was a member of the finny tribe within its waters — if, indeed, it 
ever had water in it. When we saw it, at least, it was perfectly 
dry, the bottom being covered with a fine white sand. 

On the banks of this creek, we found hack berries and Cheat- 
ham berries, of which the rangers partook liberally; but as the 
latter were not fit to eat, many of the men sickened. On the 
plain wore occasional groups of prickly pears, and on some days 
we had all we could eat of them ; but at other times, they were 
not to be had, and' we Avere compelled to do entirely without 
nourishment. Continuing along White Fish creek, we at length 
reached Prairie-Dog fork of Red river. 

All along down the creek, I rode on the extreme right of the 
flankers ; my companion on the left, being John Socie, a Chero- 
kee Indian. I had frequently during the day, seen bands of 
savages watching us, and had notified the Colonel of it, through 
my Cherokee friend, who acted as messenger ; and when we 
encamped for the night, I repeated to that officer what I had 
observed during the day ; and also my suspicions that I had 
seen an Indian camp, though concerning this I was not willing 
to make a positive statement. The Colonel affected to doubt 
it, and roundly asserted that there was not a savage within 
fifty miles of us. I, however, persisted, and told him to prepare 
for a fight on that, or the following night ; but he offered to bet 



INDIANS IN VIEW. 123 

we would not see an Indian between White Fish creek and 
and Fort Belknap, and there the controversy ended. 

By this time, the men had become perfectly careless regarding 
everything, save the procuring of subsistence ; utterly disregard- 
ing all the usual precepts taken under ordinary circumstances, 
during a campaign. Had the Indians attacked us almost any 
day, with a moderate force, "\ve must have been exterminated ; 
and it is therefore fortunate for us, that they were ignorant of 
our actual condition. We encamped that night on the north side 
of the river, on the opposite bank of which was a bluif at least 
sixty feet high, and fairly sparkling with isinglass. I took a 
field telescope, and went over on the bluff, to have a view of 
the sandy country, and particularly that laying to the westward; 
for it was in that direction, that I believed I had seen the Indian 
camp, to which I have adverted. It was a long and tiresome 
walk ; and about half way up the mountain I reached a level 
bench, or steppe, where I found about five hundred small brush 
shelters, used by a large party of warriors. So recently had 
they been erected, that the leaves were not yet withered ; in- 
deed, they were so fresh, that they appeared to have been cut 
on that very day. This sign at once aroused me, and admonished 
me to look out for strafr^lers ; but I saw none. 

It Avas just sunset, when I reached the desired point, and from 
it I had good a view of the regions around me. The last rays 
of the sun lit up the country splendidly, in the direction I be- 
lieved the Indians to be ; and on arranging my glasses, the 
whole of a large village lay in full view. Near them, and graz- 
ing, was a large number of horses, with some cattle and sheep. 

The camp was at the base of a mountain, and very extensive — 
a careful estimate placing the number of men, women and chil- 
dren, at fifteen hundred or more. This discovery did not ap- 
pear much to improve the desperate position in -which we found 
ourselves ; and hastening back, I reported what I had seen to 
the Colonel, who could now no longer doubt the presence of the 
savages. In obedience to his orders, we did all in our power to 
make ourselves as safe as possible, and laid down to sleep, fully 



124 FIGHT OX PRAIRIE DOG RIVER. 

expecting an attack before morning ; but fortunately none 
came, and as we had nothing to eat, and consequently no cook- 
ing, we mounted, and were off at daylight, following the bed of 
the stream for about twelve .miles, whore we found a sweet 
water spring, at which we halted to rest ourselves, and refresh 
our horses. That night we killed an old buffalo — so old and 
T)oor that it was with difficulty he could manajre to vralk ; 
and he was the first specimen of game avc had seen in a week. 
Bad as was his meat, we relished it as a luxury ; and after eat- 
ing what we wanted, laid down to sleep, entirely content to 
take whatever might come. There is a wide difference between 
a famished man, and one with a full stomach. We put out 
guards ; but Avhat did they care, now that they had plenty of 
meat, and palatable water ? what else did they desire ? sleep 
alone, and — they slept. 

The greater portion of the night wore away without anything 
to disturb its quiet ; at about two hours before daylight, and 
just before the moon went down, Pete Ross was aroused by 
the clattering of horses' hoofs. Ross sprang to his feet, and 
awakened his men, just in time to get the first shot. As for the 
other companies — they needed not to be awakened by their 
officers ; the Avild, piercing war whoop sounded in their ears, and 
each man in an instant had his hand upon his trusty rifle. 
There was no mistaking the shout — it was the war whoop of the 
wild Comanche ; and no sooner had its echo died away in the 
distance, than the whole body of warriors charged down upon 
our horses, and stampeded them ; and but for the presence of 
mind of a few of the rangers, all of them must have escaped. 
However, about twenty of the men ran in among them, and by 
constant firing, got up a counter fright, and saved about half 
our animals. 

The savages, having thus obtained possession of a part of our 
horses, rode away in triumph. Capt. Fitzhugh at once gave 
orders to his m^.n to mount, and pursue ; but before he was off, 
another party of Comanchos raised a demoniac yell, and came 
down upon us ; but discovering that we were prepared to re- 



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INDIAN DRESS. 127 

ccive them, tliey retired out of gun shot range ; but they kept 
up such a noise, during the bahince of the night, that further 
sleep was impossible, and we stood by our arms till daylight, by 
which time the last savage had disappeared. 

The first party numbered about sixty, and were splendidly 
mounted — some of them on fine American horses of great size ; 
the second gang chiefly riding ponies. They were armed with 
rifles, bows, lances and pistols, which they used promiscuously — 
some being busily engaged shooting arrows, though at the same 
time they had six shooters dangling to their wrists and fastened 
by a string. They were for the most part naked, except that 
they wore breech clouts, though some sported leggins, and all 
had head dresses and moccasins. A few only were in full dress. 
The Comanche people wore the buff"alo scalp, while most of 
the stampede party sported Kiowa feather caps, some of which 
fell into our hands. They were very nicely made of long white 
plumes, like swan feathers, and beautifully colored at the tips 
with red, yellow and black. The quill part is sowed to a close 
fitting skull cap made of buckskin, and they are set so close 
together that when it is drawn over the head the plumes stand, 
out in every direction, giving to the wearer a terribly hideous 
appearance. The buffalo scalp is worn with horns, and it is so 
arranged that these protrude from the top of the head, they 
being scraped so thin that they are very light. The skin of the 
nose is cut off" above the eyes, while tht-t of the neck and hump 
hangs down the back, the whole being softly dressed with the 
hair on; and as an additional ornament it is often artistic- 
ally beaded. The faces of the savages were painted in the 
most hideous style; black, red, yellow and white being the 
prevailing colors. 

Part of the time our struggle was a hand to hand fight, and 
the savages succeeded in carrying off seven of our men, and 
all their own killed and wounded ; so that it was impossible for 
us to ascertain their loss, though it must have been severe, 
notwithstanding it was a night struggle and the moon was low. 
We judged from appearance that there were about seven hun- 
8 



128 MUTINT THREATENED. 

dred Indians altogetlier, and this was perhaps rather below than 
above the truth. 

Our loss in the fight was seven men, fortj-six horses, and 
seven pack mules. It would have been useless for us to have 
attempted to follow up the savages in the dark as soon as the 
fight had closed, and by morning the marauders were far away ; 
and long before we could overtake them, we knew we would be 
surrounded, and "wiped out" by superior numbers. Never- 
theless, the Colonel did reconnoiter for some ten miles, but 
learned nothing, except that was an unhealthy locality for 
Texas Rangers. 

AVe now destroyed all our baggage and cooking utensils — 
everything save what was absolutely necessary to preserve life, 
and started for Belknap. Tents, saddles, pack saddles, every- 
thing that would burn was committed to the flames; while kettles, 
plates and pans were broken, and our axes buried in the quick- 
sand. As many of our men were now without horses, we were 
compelled to adapt ourselves to circumstances. By the order 
of march, the footmen moved, first, and then the cavalry close 
upon them ; and in this manner we made our Avay across an 
immense plain, Avhich seemed to be one solid city of prairie 
dogs. A few of these animals were killed and eaten ; but our 
ammunition was nearly exhausted, and consequently no shot 
was fired, unless under the most pressing circumstances. 

This section was almost entirely destitute of water, and we 
suffered intensely from thirst. Indeed the whole plain was one 
broad, barren waste ; and over it at least one hundred miles of 
our journey lay. The sufferings of the men were so great, that 
on the second day after the disaster, the command was threat- 
ened with open mutiny, the soldiers demanding to be allowed to 
scatter; and it required all the address of the ofiicers to prevent 
them from dispersing over the plain in search of water and 
food. Major Fitzhugh threw himself down and begged that 
some one would shoot him and thus put an end to his misery; 
while Captain Wood sank down exhausted, and urged us to go 
on and leave him to his fate. 



HUNTING AVATER. 129 

IIo-\v different the conduct of men ^Yhen in like trvinfr cii-cum- 
stances ! Major Fitzbugli gave vay to despair, Avliik liis 
brother Gabriel, suffering equally, only increased in resolation 
as difficulties thickened around us. Captain Wood was a laro-c 
muscular man, yet he sank down, while others of far more 
slender mould marched onward Avith resolute and rapid stc[>. 

AVe had not gone far out on the plain before we discovered 
that we would be unable to traverse it for lack of water; and 
we were once more compelled to seek the banks of Red river. 
Here water would be plenty, but the route over which we were 
to travel Avas covered for miles with sharp, flinty rocks, and 
pieces of isinglass, and in addition was extremely hilly ; and our 
feet would suffer fearfully from the travel on the stones and 
sand, Avhile our eyes were inflamed by the reflected rays of the 
sun. But Ave had no choice; Are could not die from thirst. 

Before Ave had reached the river, I was almost famished for 
water; and coming upon a bluff of saltrock, at least nine feet 
thick, beneath Avhich Avas a sort of cavern, filled Avith cold brine, 
I plunged into it, clothes and all, and was enjoying a bath, Avhen 
Colonel Johnston rode up to me and directed me to go in a 
southerly direction till I found Avater, and then to fire a signal 
gun ; and as a companion I had John Socie, the trusty Chero- 
kee, Avith a horse and several canteens, to bring back Avater to 
the famished men. About seven miles from Avhere I left the 
Colonel, I came to a creek on the south side of Red river ; and 
when I reached it, my thirst Avas raging to such a degree that I 
jumped into the water, drinking my fill, and then rolled in the 
cooling wave with as perfect an enjoyment as physical pleasure 
can afford. After I had taken time to collect myself, I discoA^- 
ered that I had been drinking bitter water; but hoping that fur- 
ther out into the stream it would be better, I Avaded in, but 
found that there it Avas salt. This Avas discouraging ; but on re- 
membering the condition of my companions, and the necessity 
of relief, I started to swim over the stream, hoping to find a 
spring on the other side. As I pj;oceeded, I continued to taste 
the water for the double purpose of ascertaining its quality and 



130 A STREAM DISCOVERED. 

of cooling my parched tongue ; and, to my surprise and gratifi- 
cation, -when I reached the middle of the creek, I found that it 
•^•as sweet. Instantly I returned to the shore and commenced 
firing my gun, as a signal for the exhausted command to make 
one more effort to rally. I discharged my piece a number of 
times and, at length, had the satisfaction of hearing three shots 
in reply, and I knew that the Colonel had heard me ; and feel- 
ing assured that the command would come up as rapidly as pos- 
sible, I commenced exploring the stream to find out where the 
sweet water came from, and disco rered that it flowed from a 
spring, a mile and a half above. Here we again discharged our 
pieces, and again received a reply, but it was a great way off. 

I at once filled all the canteens with us, and sent John back 
on his horse, to relieve the command ; and on his arrival, the 
precious treasure was distributed sparingly among those who 
sufi"ered most, or sent back to those who had fallen out ex- 
hausted, on the trail. As I had nothing to do during John's 
absence, I laid down and took a sound nap ; and was only 
awakened by the sound of hoofs, when he returned to the spring, 
which he did as speedily as possible. 

From him I learned that during the morning an open mutiny 
had occurred in camp ; and that it would have proved success- 
ful but for the eloquent words of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, 
who appealed to the men not to abandon their companions who 
were unable to travel, but stand by them till we reached another 
watering place, when they could once more be refreshed ; and 
the mules and horses could be sent after those who had fiillen 
out. This appeal, touching as it was, however, was but partially 
successful, till the sound of my signal gun re-inspired all as if 
by magic ; and they set out with renewed hope, if not with in- 
creased visror. Some of those who had thrown themselves down 
in despair, at once aroused themselves from their lethargy, 
and stepped ofi" at a lively gait in the direction of the crystal 
treasure. 

Fully convinced that they could not now miss the spring, the 
Indian and myself started out on a hunt. We were both much 



DEER KILLED. 131 

refreslied by water and rest ; and we stepped off at a lively 
pace, and after wandering about for some time, we espied a deer 
grazing, or, rather, licking salt. It was in the midst of an open 
prairie, so that it would be difficult to approach it. But, steal- 
ing around a little to the leeward, we kept our eyes fixed stead- 
ily upon it, and advanced rapidly, with long and hasty strides, 
till it gave indications that it suspected the presence of an en- 
emy, when we halted, standing upright, and rigidly still. After 
gazing around for a moment, the animal appeared to dismiss its 
apprehensions, and put down its head again and commenced 
licking the salt. Once more we began advancing, till we were 
almost within range, when it gave its tail a nervous twitch, caus- 
ing us to stop again. It viewed us for a moment, but manifested 
no alarm, and again resumed its former position. On we glided, 
and this time we got within a short gunshot range, and Socio 
discharged his piece at the deer, which bounded up in the air, 
and then starting ran almjost directly toward us, until I had 
time to give it another rifle ball accompanied by three buckshot, 
which brought it down. We now discovered that John's bullet 
had passed through its lungs, and that it had been mortally 
wounded, though it might have given us a long chase but for the 
contents of my piece. 

We now sat down to rest and get cool after our long tramp, 
and to devise means to get our prize to camp. The animal was 
a large, fat doe, and would weigh at least an hundred pounds. 
As I was the stronger man, I proposed to John that he should 
carry my gun and pistols, and I would carry the deer. He had 
suggested that we leave half of it; but this I refused to do, 
when I recollected the condition of our men ; so he acceded to 
my proposition, and helped me to shoulder the deer. 

At the spring, we found all the men assembled who Avere able 
to walk ; and, in the distance, we observed the pack-mules com- 
ing in with the stragglers. I never before saw any one enjoy 
anything so intensely as did these men the prospect of a dish 
of venison. The sight of the dead carcass called out the wild- 
est expressions of joy from the famished rangers ; and not many 



132 GKASSY TLAIXS AGAIN. 

minutes elapsed, before the slcin was off, and I was called upon 
to divide 'the flesh. Each man was allowed a small slice : the 
largest and best being reserved for those who were most nearly 
famished. Many a tear of joy was shed over these scanty mor- 
sels ; and more than one rough, stalwart ranger rushed forward 
to embrace me, and overwhelm me with heartfelt thanks ; and 
not a few poured forth praise to Heaven for our deliverance. 

AVc did not leave the place that day ; and while sleeping that 
night, the Indians made another attack upon us ; but no one re- 
ceived injury, nor were any of our animals stolen. The sav- 
ages were readily driven off, and we saw them no more. 

Being now comparatively reinvigorated, we again attempted 
to cross the plain which had baffled us before. Following this 
creek to its source, we came to an immense prairie dog town, 
where not a leaf of grass or growing thing was to be seen — all 
having been devoured by the buffalo. While exploring the 
creek, we discovered whence arose the varieties of water within 
it. The shores were of gypsum, imparting to it a bitter taste 
near the edge; on its banks was a salt bluff, which rendered it 
brackish, as the water washed around it ; while on the left bank 
the sweet spring poured out a swift stream, Avhich, on account 
of the peculiar shape of the bend, kept out in the middle of the 
creek. 

"VVe were three days crossing the plain, and our only subsist- 
ence was a few prickly pears of stinted growth. "When one of 
these plants was found, the ravenous appetites of the men 
would not even permit them to scrape off the thorns with which 
they are covered; but all was devoured together. Many of 
them suffered severely from this cause; the lips and tongue be- 
ing penetrated, causing them to swell badly, and be extremely 
painful. • 

After three days weary marching and on the morning of the 
fourth, we suddenly came upon the verge of the desert, and but 
a short distance was traveled before we were in the midst of one 
of tlie most fertile and luxuriant spots in the State. Grass was 
high, and as we soon found a ravine in which water was plenty 



BUFFALO IN SIGHT. 133 

wc hitched our horses to graze for a couple of hours. The ani- 
mals being greatly refreshed, we pushed on, and had only gone 
a short distance ^yhen we came suddenly upon an immense herd 
of buffalo. We at once dismounted, and made all the necessary 
preparations for a grand "still hunt." Our preliminaries were 
arranged under cover ; the regiment being divided off into t.wo 
parties, one of which was under command of the Colonel him- 
self, the direction of the other being left to the Indians who 
were with us. 

The Colonel's party kept in the low ground, while the other 
filed down a ridge in full view of the herd, but on the windward 
side; and in this manner we advanced, till nearly within gun 
shot of the animals. Suddenly we wheeled to the right, down 
into a deep ravine, and stooping low, crawled four or five 
hundred yards, and were almost in the midst of them, when, at 
a sfiven sio-nal, each man marked his meat and brouo;ht it down. 
After the first discharge, the herd commenced a precipitate 
flight ; but the men, determined to fast no more, drew their re- 
volvers and continued firing till the herd had escaped beyond 
range. Twenty odd of the buffalo were shot dead in their 
tracks, and many more wounded. We Avere, however, not after 
sport, but meat ; and leaving those which were crippled to do 
as best they could, we fell to cutting up the dead, and devour- 
ing their flesh raw. 

Three or four of us rushed upon one cow, and began cutting 
out pieces of meat from as many different parts of the body, 
although the animal was not yet dead, but struggling violently. 
Capt. Wood sliced out one hump steak, Shawnee Jack cutting 
out the other ; while Neighbors ran his knife into that delicious 
piece of half fat, half lean, that lies behind the shoulder blade, 
just under the back part of the hump. For my part, I knew 
that that meat would require cooking, and I was too ravenous 
to await so slow a process, and as I looked upon buffalo tallow 
as a daint}^ I plunged my bowie knife into her side, and thrust- 
ing my arm through the whole, wound my fingers into the caul 
fat, and tore it out and ata it while it was yet warm. I am 



134 FEASTING AFTER FAMINE. 

aware the reader "will decide that this was barbarous ; but let it 
be borne in mind, that we were famishing. So hungry Avas 1, 
that this huge flake of fat, dripping with blood, seemed like the 
sweetest morsel I ever tasted. 

Our hunger slightly appeased, we returned to the ravine in 
which the water was so plentiful, staked our horses to graze, 
and at once commenced gathering in our meat, cooking, and 
eating all the time, till our appetites were entirely satisfied. 
One thing that marred the delicacy of the meat, was the fact 
that we were without salt. While crossing the desert, moun- 
tains of the article reared their heads around us, but we were 
without meat ; now meat lay in profusion about us, but we 
were without salt. 

Ourselves and horses rested, we resumed our march, and after 
traveling about five miles, reached the Big Washita river. Here 
we halted, for a rest of five days, which we spent in hunting. 
We had jerked meat for bread, and fresh meat for beef; feasted 
continually on elk, deer, antelope, and wild turkey. During 
these five days of carousal, the sufferings on the desert were 
forgotten ; and at the end of that time, fully restored to our 
wonted vigor, we resumed our march. 

The direct route would have taken us across another desert ; but 
we had had experience enough on them, and we therefore de- 
termined to follow the watercourses, though they were ever so 
circuitious. We accordingly kept down the Big Washita, till 
we reached the point where the Belknap and Radziminski roads 
cross, when we left it, and started direct for our place of des- 
tination, distant seventy-five miles. Our route lay through a 
good country, with plenty of game, and we fared, like the rich 
man — sumptously every day — but only on meat ; and there- 
fore the reader may imagine our joy, on reaching the Little 
Washita, at meeting a wagon loaded with flour and bacon, with 
two ovens and two skillets. "Wliat visions of bread once more 
arose before us ! and how soon we were at work, kneading the 
douirh ! Our readers who are initiated into the mysteries of 
cooking, may form some idea of the bread we made, under all 



AT BELKNAP AGAIN. 135 

the disadvantages that surrounded us ; but it was bread, and 
■was a feast to us. Weeks had intervened since we had tasted 
auo-ht but flesh : and now we baked and ate, and ate and baked, 
till all were fit subjects for the hospital, and some came near find 
ing the graveyard. Orders to march next day, found not a 
man free from colic, or dysentery ; though a few were able to 
travel, and they traveled. Every mile or so, a man would 
drop out ; and when we reached the end of our day's journey, 
of twenty-five miles, there were but few men with us ; yet the 
strao-glers finally all came in and reported, though it is wonderful 
that some did not die by the wayside. 

The next day was one long to be remembered by every ranger, 
as it was the last of that ill- started campaign. Dirty, ragged, 
long haired, unshaven, and generally barefooted, we reached 
Belknap on the 30th of October, 1860 ; and immediately we 
were mustered out, and paid in scrip, which is now worth less 
than nothing ; but which, had not the state gone into rebellion, 
would have ultimately secured us fifty-two dollars a month in 
gold. 



C n A P T E R XI. 

KNIGHTS OP THE GOLDEN CIRCLE — SECESSION. 

Having been honorably discharged, the rangers began to scat- 
ter to their homes. Many had friends in the vicinity, who came 
after them with wagons ; refusing to let them ride their war po- 
nies, but leading these home in triumph, decked with flowers and 
ribbons. Parting among the men, rough as they were, gave 
rise to many affecting scenes. Hardy warriors wept like child- 
ren, as they separated from the companions of their hardships 
and dangers. Truly, it might have been said of us that we 
were a band of brothers then; but how soon — such is human 
nature — to become deadly enemies I 

I had enlisted at Waco, two hundred miles away, and had no 
means of reaching that place except on foot; and learning this. 
Colonel Smith tendered me a horse, but he was wild, having 
only been caught that spring, when we. made our hunt up the 
Canadian. He was remarkably fleet on foot when in the wild 
herd ; no less than sixty horses having been run after him — 
first all at a dash. In the race we had roped all the mares, when 
he came back to fight us, trying first to drive the mares, and 
then the men, away. Failing in both of these purposes, he 
dashed around and around in a circle, always eluding the rope, 
tbough thrown by our best horsemen ; and in this way, he baf- 
fled us till our own horses were worn out; when, finally, an In- 
dian, named Bob, shot him just between the last two short ribs, 
and let the ball range forward into the stomach — a process 
known among the savages as "creasing," and is frequently em- 
ployed with success ; and it is a far safer way than shooting 
hem in the neck, as is sometimes done. Nevertheless, it is a 



KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE. 137 

barbarous proceeding, and could onl}" be adopted by those de- 
void of every quality of mercy. 

Such was the animal tendered me, and the reader will not be 
at a loss to conjecture that riding it was not the most pleasant 
thing in the world. It had thoroughly recovered from the gun- 
shot wound, and was well nigh as wild as when first seen on the 
prairie ; and was, withal, the most vicious beast I ever mounted^ 
Avhen we set oat ; but, strange as it may seem, by the time we 
reached our journey's end it was completely subdued, both to 
ride and work in harness — was as docile as it had been wild. 

Soon after we arrived at Belknap, during the spring of 18(30, 
a man visited us, who introduced himself as Captain Davis ; 
but how he obtained the title was, and is, a mystery. He in- 
formed us that he was a member of the Knights of the Golden 
Circle, and that he was fully authorized to receive and initiate 
men into the order, from his superiors; and that Avhen fully in- 
itiated, the mysteries and objects of the institution Avould be 
explained ; that some of the objects must now be kept secret ; but 
there was one that he could reveal ; it was the intention to raise 
a force of twelve thousand men to invade Mexico, under com- 
mand of General Sam. Houston, the then Governor of Texas ; 
and that they were to be paid by English capitalists at the rate 
of eighteen dollars per month ; and that, after the conquest, the 
States of Nueva Leon, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas 
were to be annexed to the United States ; that Gen. Houston was 
not takinof any public part in the matter, for State reasons ; but 
that, in a short time, he would throw off all concealment, and 
declare his purpose to the world. British subjects, Captain 
Davis declared, were to pay the General a fabulous sum for 
accomplishing the work, and then settle an annuity upon his 
wife. He said that though all the details had not yet been ar- 
ranged, they were being rapidly consummated. 

He explained to us that the Knights were organized with three 
degrees — the military, the financial, and the legislative. The 
first of these Avas intended to be popular — to catch the masses 
of the people ; and as men should not be made to pay too ex- 



138 MYSTERIES OF THE ORDER. 

travagantly for the privilege of serving some one else, the initi- 
ation fee to this degree was but one dollar. To get into the 
financial — ominous name — more money was required, and the 
initiation fee was put at five dollars. To become a third, or 
legislative-degree member, influence, and not money, was requi- 
site. A man odious to the Kni(];hts could not have bought a 
#eat in it; an influential politician could have obtained one at a 
mere nominal price — perhaps for nothing. Members of the first 
degree were not allowed to know what was done in the second; 
and those of the second were kept in ignorance of the transac- 
tions in the third; and as every one was sworn to do the bidding 
of his superior, and each degree to obey the directions of those 
above it, the despotism was complete. It was the province of 
the few to command; of the masses to obey. 

This was the feature to which I objected. I was rather 
pleased with some things — particularly the prospect of adven- 
ture; but I could never take an oath to do an act the nature 
of which I knew nothing ; nor could I swear to obey irrespon 
sible men, who proposed to do anything unlawful. If the ob- 
ject was legitimate, it occurred to me, why this secrecy ? and, 
I believe subsequent events have proven that my objections were 
well taken; indeed, a few months sufficed to satisfy me upon 
that subject, and, I think, to satisfy all the world. 

The captain was a ready talker, and well calculated to seduce 
the unwary into his schemes ; and nearly all the rangers were 
induced to become members of the order, after which he left to 
enlighten the people of other sections. He was exceedingly 
lavish in his promises ; to become a knight was to secure perpet- 
ual fame at once; and few of the rangers who joined but believed 
that the lowest position which would fall to their lot would be 
that of a field officer. " All promotions," he §aid, " were to be 
made from the ranks ;" (an old story, every soldier knows), and 
all the great estates in Mexico were to be confiscated to secure 
fortunes to the adventurers. Immense tracts of land were to be 
granted to members of the order ; the mines in Sonora were to 
be parceled out, and every possessor to be made a Croesus at 



POLITICAL EXCITEMENT. 139 

once ; and a hundred other glittering promises were made, which, 
under any ordinary circumstances, Avoukl have excited men of a 
wild, roving disposition; but in this case, success in obtaining 
enlistments was chiefly the result of other causes. 

Mexican depredations on the Rio Grande had been frequent ; 
and many a ranger was longing to retaliate upon the perfidious 
perpetrators in Tamaulipas and Nueva Leon ; and they looked 
upon this as an excellent opportunity to join in a scheme which 
promised them revenge — far sweeter to the pioneer of western 
Texas than the wealth of an Astor or a Vanderbilt. 

But very soon the attention of the Texans was turned to other 
enterprises than the invasion of Mexico, and the Knights had 
other foes than Spanish mongrels to fight. When I reached 
Waco, the most intense political excitement I ever witnessed 
was prevailing. Mr. Lincoln had just been elected president, 
and orators were busy on every street corner " firing the south- 
ern heart," which they fully succeeded in doing, though it has 
since pretty completely burned out. 

I heard nothing now, but clamor about " Northern aggression," 
and "Southern rights," wherever I went. The State should 
secede at once ; the politicians willed it, and the Governor must 
obey. The cry Avas " secede, secede !" break up all connection 
with the Federal Union, by fair means or by foul — only secede. 
Of course I was at once questioned as to my views, and sup- 
posing there would be freedom of expression, I spoke ray mind 
without reservation ; but they did not look upon the matter in 
that light, and they plainly intimated that I could choose between 
conversion to the views of the secessionists and exile. I, how- 
ever, refused to be converted, and was at once denounced as a 
tory, a Lincolnite, and an abolitionist ; and it was confidently 
expected that these epithets would enlighten my obtuse intellect 
and arouse my patriotism? This procedure was persisted in 
from the time I was mustered out, in November, 1860, till after 
the first battle of Bull Bun, in July, 1861, when I left the State ; 
and that, too, in the face of the fact that the greater part of this 
time was consumed in protecting the homes and fire-sides of my 



140 THE ELECTION. 

maligncrs from the depreciations of the AvilJ Comanches. It may 
be chivalry thus to avail one's self of services so onerous and 
dangerous, and then vilify him Avho accomplishe them ; but it 
does not agree with my idea of the meaning of that term. 

For a time Gov. Houston resisted the wild fanaticism which 
prevailed; but the current was too strong; reason was hushed; 
force and fraud were the order of the day ; and chivalry and mob 
violence ruled the hour and defied the law. A convention was 
called and candidates were out earl}^, "defining their positions," 
and soliciting the suffrages of the people. 

In McCIennan county, where I resided, the candidate of the 
secessionists was an ambitious and unscrupulous lawyer, named 
Coke, while the Unionists supported Lewis Moore, an old and 
highly respected citizen; public spirited and unselfish, and only 
interested in developing the resources of the State and nation. 
He had taken a prominent part in the Texan revolution, and in 
all the border wars, and in the Moderator and Regulator strug- 
gle in 1836-8. Election day came, and Coke received 196 
votes, to 94 for Moore — an exceedingly light poll — but only light 
because no man ventured to tender his ballot without being pre- 
pared to defend it with the pistol and bowie knife. I went to 
the polls unarmed; but I soon found that I was alone in this 
respect; but I ventured up and tendered my vote. A ]Mr. Wm. 
Chamberlain was receiving the tickets, and a INIajor Downing was 
acting as judge ; and when the former observed that my ballot 
contained the name of Lewis Moore, his countenance darkened, 
and he asked rae how I came to tender my vote there. 

" You have not been in this country long enough, sir," said 
he. 

" I have, sir," w-as my reply, but it was made in a quiet tone, 
and entirely different from that in which he addressed me. 

" But you have been constantly away, running around after 
the Indians," he continued; " ho^\' is it you wish to vote here?" 

" Because," was my response, " I am registered in the service 
for this place." 

" But you can't be allowed to vote, sir," he persisted. 



FRAUD OF THE BALLOT. 141 

I began at once to explain my view of the law ; that I was a 
ranger, and had served the people, and felt that I had a ri^ht to 
vote at any polls in the State, when he stopped me, sayin^-: 
" It is useless to multiply words; you can't vote." 
I then left the court-house, went to the hotel, and got -my 
pistols — a splendid pair of navy revolvers, and returned imme- 
diately; and seeing my movements, a number of Union men fol- 
lowed me, crowding the room in which the election was held. 
■ Nearly all of them were old, gray haired veterans, who had de- 
voted their lives to the service of the State, and were as incor- 
ruptible patriots as ever trod on American soil. 

Laying my ballot on the table, I addressed Mr. Chamberlin 
with : 

" Sir, I have come to vote." 

He looked at me, hesitated a moment, glanced at my hand, 
which was on my pistol, and the crowd of Union men around 
me, the countenances of every one of whom evinced a fixed de- 
termination the meaning of which he could not mistake, and 
then turned to the judges, but said not a word. 

" Put that ticket in the box, and record my name," said I, 
calmly, but firmly. 

He did not need another bidding, but slowly dropped the 
ticket in the box, took up his pen, and Avas about to record my 
name, when the Major said : 

" The law requires a vote to be sworn in, after it has been 
challenged," 

"Very well, sir," said I; "if the law requires it, I will be 
sworn." 

He then produced a Bible, and holding it out to me, I laid 
my left hand on it, and the oath was administered, after which 
the book was held up toward my mouth, but I stepped back. 

" Do you refuse to kiss the book ?" said the judge. 

" Yes, sir," I replied. 

"For what reason," he continued. 

" Because the law does not require it," was my response. 



142 SECESSIONISTS AND UNIONISTS. 

Chamberlin then registered my name, and I walked out of the 
court-house. 

This was not an isolated instance of the persecution of Union 
voters. The polls were at length closed, and Coke coolly declared 
elected, in spite of the smallness of the vote, though this was one 
of the most populous counties in Central Texas ; and in defiance of 
the fact that a large majority of the people were opposed to 
secession. But the malcontents were demonstrative, and had 
secretly organized and armed themselves, and had the control 
of the polls; and no Union man approached but felt that his 
life Avas jeopardized by the act. 

There was a remarkable difference between the appearance of 
the two parties. The secessionists were mostly young men, who 
were both ambitious and fanatical, and who had been led astray 
by artful demagogues, who had " an ax to grind." They were 
noisy, and many of them, before the sun had reached its meri- 
dian were drunk. They were chiefly of that class of floaters, 
who have no interest at stake, and whose dissolute habits are 
the bane of the society in which they flourish. The Unionists, 
on tlie other hand, were generally venerable men who had done 
much service during the many wars in which the State had been 
involved. They had fought to render Texas independent, and 
had given their voice for her annexation to the Union; and *hey 
strenuously resisted a faction which proposed to undo the work 
which had cost them so much. They possessed property and 
character, and were not to be swayed by every demagogue Avho 
sought preferment and office. Such was the condition of aff'airs 
as far as my observation extended ; such, I learned, was the 
situation throughout the State on that eventful day. 



CHA PTER XII. 
TYRANNY AND PERFIDY OF THE SECESSIONISTS. 

Soon after it became known that the secessionists had carried 
the State at the election, the commanders of the various United 
States posts commenced surrendering to the State troops. I 
•was present at the capitulation of Camp Colorado at the request 
of a number of Union men, who desired to obtain accurate in- 
formation regarding the nature of the proceeding. The insur- 
gent forces were under the command of Henry M'Culloch, who, 
knowing that I had seen service, pledged me a captain's com- 
mission, if I would join the "Confederate" army; and had I 
done so, I have every reason to believe he would have made his 
promise good ; but I refused his offer firmly. 

After I had witnessed the capitulation, I returned to Waco. 
The Ordinance of Secession had been passed and referred to the 
people, and the whole State was in a blaze of excitement. Ar- 
bitrary arrests, broils, murder, and hanging were the order of 
the day; and under the pressure large numbers of the Union 
men were giving way, and the secessionists were receiving daily 
accessions to their strength. The people were either deceived 
into secession, lied into it, or driven into it. 

Every species of deception was practiced that the ingenuity 
of crafty politicians or a licentious press could invent. The 
motives of the Northern people were misrepresented, and Union 
men, both North and South, outrageously belied. One week the 
secession orators would herald to excited audiences that inde- 
pendence could be consummated without any war at all ; simply 
by every man voting a secession ticket and showing to the North 
ihat the South was thoroughly united ; they would proclaim that 
the North was utterly demoralized and powerless to coerce the 
9 



146 OUTRAGEOUS DEMAGOGUES. 

seceding States into obedience ; nay, that so divided by contend 
ing factions were the people of that section, that they were not 
even capable of preserving their own integrity; that even the 
Korthern States could not maintain a union among themselves, 
much less impose one upon the seceding States. 

The next Aveek the cry would be changed, and the Northern 
States would be represented as thoroughly united, and more unjust 
and defiant than ever they were before ; that there were no people 
in the North that sympathized with the South, or who were will- 
ing to see that section get justi'ce and equal rights. That every 
man in the free States was a practical abolitionist, and nothing 
would satisfy their rapacity but the immediate and unconditional 
surrender of slavery; and even that might not avail; and that 
it was more than likely a concession on that subject would invite 
aggression on another. Southern men were appealed to in the 
most impassioned language not to submit to these demands or 
compromise, but to rouse themselves to view matters of State in 
their true light, and to prepare for a contest that was inevitable. 
Every proposition of the North was treated with disdain; even 
the President was hung in effigy, and treated with every indig- 
nity, simply because he was a Northern man, and was elected 
by free State votes, Avhen they well knew that he would be bound 
by the same oath to maintain the Constitution that had bound 
all the Presidents of Southern birth. The sentiments of known 
Union men were willfully misrepresented, and, thus distorted, 
heralded to the people, in order to infuriate them against indi- 
viduals who professed loyal sentiments. For instance, General 
Houston would make a speech in Galveston, and take the most 
fciucerc and unqualified Union ground, and forthwith the fiends 
of secession would dispatch garbled extracts of it to every paper 
iu the State that advocated secession, which, in turn, would give 
it, with the comments of its unprincipled editors, to the excited 
public. Sometimes they would manufacture and publish speeches 
for Houston and other patriots which they never delivered ; and 
these were scattered broadcast to the mob, representing them as 
being at length thoroughly convinced that secession was the only 



rOr.GING SPEECHES. 147 

means by -which the Southern people could maintain their liber- 
ties and their institutions. 

If he made a Union speech in Austin or "Waco, denouncin'^ 
the secession leaders, and charging them "with seeking to over- 
throw the last vestige of personal liberty and constitutional 
government, and avowing the most vindictive hostility to all men 
professing secession principles, and professing undying devotion 
to the Union, at all hazards, no sooner would the words fall 
from, his lips, than his discourse would be garbled to suit the 
cause of secession, and scattered all through the country. On 
one occasion, I remember, after forged speeches had been pub- 
lished over and over, and attributed to Houston, his friends in 
Waco wrote a letter and requested him to come out and deliver 
another address, and contradict them, but the old patriot an- 
swered despondingly that it was useless; he had tried it, and 
as fixst as he contradicted one lie, they would publish another, 
and ho would prefer to keep silent. But why enlarge upon 
facts patent to the world ? Secession v/as born in sin and crad- 
led in iniquity, and no man who is not lost to every feeling of 
patriotism, nay, who does not wear within himself the heart of 
a fiend, will presume to defend it. 

But despite of frauds, despite of lying and forging, the Ger- 
mans in the vicinity of San Antonio, and the settlers in the 
northern section of the State remained true to the Union; and as 
the secessionists had determined to secure uniformity, force was 
resorted to, and bayonets supplanted arguments and deception. 
The first attempt Avas upon the Germans, and the headquarters 
of the south-western military district was removed to San An- 
tonio, and ten or twelve thousand desperadoes were sent thither 
to overawe all who remained loyal to the old government ; and 
this process was found to succeed admirably ; for in the pres- 
ence of such a force, unarmed, unorganized citizens are usually- 
constrained to keep silence. The houses of all the settlers were 
searched, and when arms were found, they were confiscated; 
and a most perfect military despotism was thus established over 
a disarmed populace. 



148 VIGILANCE COMMITTEES. 

Next, it was important to tlie insurgents that tlie people of 
northern Texas should be subjugated ; and the vrork was in- 
trusted to the notorious Ben. ^IcCulloch, who made his head- 
quarters at Dallas, and had at his command some fifteen hundred 
men; and this force was soon increased by the arrival of rein- 
forcements, to ten thousand; and having used his army in co- 
ercing Union citizens into secession, till he was satisfied, he 
marched it to Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Outside of the districts patrolled by the armies, the work of 
converting Unionists by force was adopted by irresponsible 
bodies of citizens. Vigilance committees were organized in 
every town and village, and their motto was : " No mercy to 
traitors," meaning those who were true to their country and the 
old flag. In Waco, one of these committees waited upon several 
old and esteemed citizens, giving them their choice, either to 
cease their opposition to the rebellion, or leave the country. 
They publicly proclaimed their determination to hang every 
" Lincolnite" in the country who refused, to use their classic lan- 
guage, to " dry up," at their bidding ; and their threats Avere 
by no means idle ones. 

One night they visited a hotel, and seized one of the guests — 
a young man from New York, named Wilkinson — and in the 
dead hours of the night took him to the court-house, and there 
tried him before a self-constituted committee; and he only es- 
caped hanging by three votes, although there were no charges 
against him other than that he had asked a man to go with him 
to New York, and had demanded of certain merchants that they 
should secure the firm, in whose interest he was then acting, 
certain debts that they had contracted. 

Soon afterward, they arrested Dr. Larnard, son of Major 
Larnard, paymaster in the United States' army. He was widely 
known as a worthy citizen of McClennan county, and highly re- 
spected. The crime with which he was charged, was that of 
allowing his negroes to give a party to the negroes belonging to 
some of his neighbors; and his sentence was, that he should not 
be allowed to go beyond the limits of the county for a year ; and 



RATIFYING SECESSION. 149 

he -was admonished that if he did so, the fact would be discov- 
ered, and he would instantly be hung. 

The despotism of the secessionists had now become so intol- 
erable, that Union men were everywhere fleeing from the State, 
as the only means of saving their lives. Not desiring to leave 
yet, but at the same time anxious to avoid trouble, I shouldered 
my gun and mounted my horse, and started for a hunt on the 
Pecan bayou and Jim Ned creek. While on my way, I stopped 
at Cora, a little town in Comanche county, on the day that the 
ordinance of secession was submitted to the people, which was 
on the 23d of February, 1861; and while hitching my horse, an 
officer came out and proclaimed the polls opened; and immedi- 
ately the parties who had been standing around, and numbering 
from eight to ten, went up and cast their ballots — all going for 
secession. They were all armed, and at first I supposed they 
were rangers but I was mistaken. I walked into the court-house, 
and when the men to whom I have referred, had finished cast- 
ino- their ballots, the clerk turned around and addressed me: 

" Do you want to vote, young man ?" 

I answered in the affirmative. 

"How do you Avant to vote?" he next inquired. 

"Against secession," I promptly responded. 

" Where do you live ?" he asked. 

" In Waco." 

" Then, why did n't you vote there f 

Without giving me time to answer, one of the armed men 
came up and addressed me with, 

" You was afraid to vote there, was you ?" 

" If I was afraid to vote there, I am not afraid to vote here," 
I said, imitating his tone and manner as much as possible. 

" How is it that you want to vote here ?" asked the clerk. 

" Because I am a ranger, and by law have a right to vote 
anywhere at a State election," I answered. 

When they found I was in the frontier service, there was no 
further parley, and my vote was taken, and my name regis- 
tered. But when I started for my horse, I was followed by the 



160 CLOSING THE POLLS. 

armed crowd ; and as I mounted they seemed inclined to enter 
into a conversation. But knowing that any further parley "with 
them would only result in a collision or a dishonorable retreat, 
I put spurs to ray horse, and left. As I was going out of the 
town I heard a voice shout : " yes ! yes ! the polls of the 
election are now closed." The law required that they should be 
kept open from 6 A. m. to 6 p. M.; but these had not been kept 
open more than forty minutes — perhaps not that long. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

OUT IN THE WILDERNESS. 



This was the last village I had to pass, and I was soon far 
away in the solitudes of the wilderness, where political contests 
are unknown. Game was plentiful. Far out on the Jim Ned 
creek I found a new settlement, made since my last visit to that 
part of the country. It was built by a man named Hunter, who 
was a hunter by occupation ; and he invited me to make my 
home with him while I remained in that section ; remarking, at 
the same time, that as the Indians were pretty thick, we had 
better hunt together ; and I accepted his hospitality. 

His family consisted of a wife, two daughters, and a son-in- 
law; one of the ladies being single. One evening, as I was re- 
turning to the house, after a lonely day's tramp through the 
woods, I chanced to meet the younger of the two daughters, 
nearly two miles from the house, carrying with her a rifle and a 
pistol. She asked me if I had seen her cows, but I regret to 
say that I had not. I then asked her if she had any idea how 
far she was from home ; and she answered correctly, and with 
perfect coolness, regardless of the danger from the savages who 
continually infested the neighborhood. Nor did she seem in 
the least disturbed when I informed her that I had seen at least 
a half a dozen that day; but she quietly inquired : 
" What sort of a hide is that you 've got ?" 
It was the skin of a panther nine and a half feet long. She 
examined it closely, but expressed neither surprise nor fear 
when I told her that I had killed it within a quarter of a mile 
of the spot where she then stood. I then went with her till she 
found her cows, when I drove tLem home; and frequently, 
after that, we went cow hunting together. She always carried 
her rifle with her, and could bring down a deer, at a distance of 



152 CONTEST WITH WOLVES. 

a hundred 3'ards, as well as a man could do it. She had never 
yet been attacked by Indians in her lonely rambles, and if she 
had been, more than one would have been required to get off 
safely. She had been at a neighbor's house, some time before, 
when it was hemmed in by savages, and besieged for several 
hours. There were several men in the house to defend it, but 
she was the only female, save the Avife of the owner of the cabin. 
The men were only there by chance ; they Avere hunters, and 
being pressed by Indians, took refuge in the house, otherwise 
she and the lady owner would have been there alone. 

During the attack Miss Hunter moulded bullets for the men, 
and rendered every assistance in her power, keeping perfectly 
calm and collected all the time, though she full well knew the 
terrible doom that awaited her if the savages succeeded in 
carrying the house by storm, or in setting it on fire. 

We could often kill deer by standing in the door of the old 
man's house; and his dogs almost nightly had a row with a cata- 
mount, or some other wild animal which was essaying to carry 
off his pigs or chickens from his very door. 

I remained with Mr. Hunter several weeks, when having accu- 
mulated all the peltries my horse could carry, I started on my 
return to the settlements, after giving the family with which I 
had lived so pleasantly an affectionate good bye. I had been 
so kindly treated that I was loth to leave, and his wife urged me 
now that as I had killed their winter's meat, I ought to remain 
and help eat it; but I could not entirely make up my mind to do 
so, and we parted. 

On the way back to Waco I witnessed a very singular contest. 
On reaching the edge of the settlements, I encamped one night 
beneath a very large live oak tree, and in the morning, just as I 
was getting ready to start, I espied a very large pack of wolves 
chasing a young heifer across the prairie. There must have 
been nearly a hundred of these animals in the pack, and when I 
discovered them she was getting extremely wearied, and, indeed, 
nearly exhausted. Near by was a herd of about one hundred 
and fifty cattle, of all sizes, beside young calves, and for these 



FIRING AT THE AVOLVES. 153 

the heifer made direct for the herd, bellowing at every jump. No 
sooner did the herd discover her distress than the old cattle com- 
menced snorting, and soon ran together in a huddle, "with their 
heads outward, and making a complete circle, enclosing the calves. 

The heifer at length reached the flock, and after running 
twice around the circle found a position in it, when she at once 
assumed a defiant attitude. The wolves followed her till 
she reached a place of security; and so many w^ere there 
of them that they became scattered into a complete circle, 
entirely enclosing the cows. The cattle stood eyeing the in- 
truders for a time, and then raised a loud snort, and simultane- 
ously charged upon the wolves and drove them flying over the 
prairie for several hundred yards. 

It was amusing to see the change in the deportment of the 
wolves. A few minutes before they were pusuing their victim 
at a furious rate, with ears and tails erect, the hair of their necks 
on end, tongues lapping for blood, and eyes aglare with rage ; 
but now they were flying with ears drooping, tails between their 
, legs, and piteous looks — a perfect photograph of fright personi- 
fied. The wolves were scattered in every direction, and some of 
them were still running, though many had taken courage to halt 
and reconnoitre, when I concluded to take a hand in the im- 
broglio, and therefore commenced shooting at the animals, and 
those that were nearest me doubtless felt the efi"ects of my shot, 
for several fled to a high hill not far ofi", while those at a dis- 
tance turned around to see what new enemy had presented 
himself. 

After I fired my pistols ofi", I very foolishly neglected to 
reload them, though I continued howling like a wolf to call them 
up so I could fire into them again if I so desired. Before I 
•was aware of it five very large gray ones bounded up from 
behind me, full of fight. I did not want to break my pistols, so 
I picked up a large bone that lay at the root of the tree, and 
began to fight my assailants with great vigor, believing I could 
soon run them off, "'but they didn't run worth a cent," but 
would stand sideways to me, then springing straight up into the 



jj^ EEATINS A EETREAT. 

air and turning their lieads around, snap at me Their ja^s 
"ould snap like a steel trap when they closed, and every tme I 
hit on over the head his eyes would almost blaze w.th .^ge 
I truck and kicked them several times, but find.ng that hey 
we not disposed to retreat, I thought perhaps .t m.ght be 
' uden for me to do so, and walking backward, I made for my 
ronvand when near enough, mounted with a sprmg and dashed 
pony, ana wucn s „o ves did not 

off some distance and loaded my pistols, i 

;rLncrd:::o^:aLt^:,S:f:"^ 

: • my pe ries had already begun to attract their attention and 
eve^ff I did not annoy them by any more firing, I was by no 
means safe; and I therefore made the best of my way to Waco. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
FAREWELL TO DIXIE. 



When I arrived at Waco I found the wildest excitement every 
■where prevailing. A large number of Union men had been ar- 
rested, and several hanged. Neither the property nor the life 
of the loyal people was safe. A number of men for no other 
offense than refusing to openly commit themselves to secession, 
were rendered homeless by the torch of the incendiary ; and like 
the leper, no one would give them shelter. A draft was imperi- 
ously called for, for already it was discovered that however much 
the Southern heart was fired, the number of volunteers the exi- 
gency demanded, was not forthcoming. Draft, draft, draft ; 
every where the word was repeated ; nothing would satisfy the 
rebels but a resort to conscription; but they knew less of the 
unpleasant character of that bitter operation than they did three 
years after, or they might have hesitated before demanding a 
resort to the wheel of fortune. 

Soon after my return, a ranger, named Michael Somerville, an 
Alabamian, and a friend of mine, quietly informed me that the 
vigilance committee had my case under consideration, and had 
been discussing the propriety of hanging me, and that the sub- 
ject had been broached to the rangers, but it was soon discov- 
ered that I had entirely too many friends to permit them to molest 
me seriously. It was then resolved to draft me ; and to this my 
friends offered no objection. About the last of July, 1861, an 
order for a conscription in McClennan county was received at 
Waco. The document came in on the mail stage from Austin 
about nine o'clock at night, and on the following morning, after 
eating an unusually early breakfast, I mounted my pony and was 
off for the north. 

The first place aimed for was Jefferson, at the head of Soda 



156 GOING NORTE. 

lake, a place of some commercial importance ; and on reaching 
it, I found the excitement there as wild as at Waco. Already 
large quantities of stores were being accumulated there, to be 
used in the pending campaign, and the streets continually echoed 
to the sound of the drum, as company after company of the 
Johnnies passed through them. From Jefferson I started to the 
north western corner of Louisiana, where the State joins both 
Texas and Arkansas. While traveling along one day, I heard 
some guns firing a short distance to my left, but supposing 
it to be a company of troops discharging a volley at a target, I 
paid no attention to the matter. But presently two men rode 
hurriedly past, and from what I could gather of their conversa- 
tion, I was led to believe that some horrid transaction had just 
taken place. Desirous of knowing something of its nature, I 
rode rapidly along, and soon overtook the tAvo men and entered 
into a conversation with them, and asked them, in a careless 
manner, what the firing meant ; and in response, one of them 
gave me the details of a most horrible murder which had just 
been committed. A house stood near the corner of the State, to 
which I have already adverted, owned by a prominent Union 
man, whose name I can not now give, it having slipped my 
memory; and it appears that he had given offense to a Captain 
Joll}^ who was an aspirant for a commission in the rebel army; 
and that as a method of revenging himself. Captain Jolly had 
led twenty-four men to the house, and in cold blood, he and his 
party shot down and killed four men and wounded two more; 
and that they had likewise killed a negro woman. My compan- 
ions manifested the utmost abhorrence at the deed, and soon gave 
me to understand that they, themselves, were Union men. 

As I traveled through Arkansas, I passed myself off as a nephew 
of Albert Pike, who was at that time a Brigadier General in the 
rebel service ; replying, when questioned, that I was going to 
Little Rock to see the General, and enter the service. Of course 
I had to play the part of a secessionist all this time ; had I done 
otherwise, my life would have paid the forfeit. But once in Little 
Rock, I had played my game out, and I had not the remotest 



THROUGH ARKANSAS. 157 

idea how I was next to proceed ; but knowing that delav was 
dangerous, I at once set about contriving a way of escape, and 
finally got off 

Near the town of Arkadelphia, I overtook a preacher on the 
rond, and we immediately entered into a conversation on the 
political situation, and I was not long in ascertaining that his 
sympathies were with the Union cause; I then told him frankly, 
that I was a Union man, and I inquired of him how persons of 
that political faith were treated in that region. He appeared 
frightened at my frankness ; and as we were near the town, he 
advised me not to go through it, but take a byway that led 
around it, and into my road again some distance beyond the 
place. He then stated that at least twenty men had been hung 
in that vicinity, for their devotion to the old government. 

I politely declined to accept his advice, as to making a cir- 
cuit of the town, but told him I would ride through to see the 
sights ; and on arriving in front of the hotel, I dismounted, 
threw mvself "around a drink," and then mounted again : but did 
not ride off immediately, as I had entered into an interesting 
conversation with the clergyman. But I had not been there 
long, when I was surrounded by a large crowd of soldiers, who 
at once set to questioning me, as to what was the news, where 
I was going, where I was from, etc.; and to all of these, my an- 
swers were so different from the tenor of our private conversa- 
tior, that the Reverend Gentleman must have pronounced me, 
in his mind, as a rival of Baron Munchausen, with a fair pros- 
pect of eclipsing his fame. Nevertheless, he seemed pleased at 
the sudden political summersault I had turned, and he doubtless 
fully appreciated my motives for becoming so readily a convert 
to secession. 

While riding along with my clerical friend, I was warned of 
a " little log grocery on the hill," where, my informant said, 
about a dozen men, mostly strangers, had been set upon and 
killed, by secessionists, since the political excitement had com- 
menced. It was located in a dense, piny woods, and frequented 
by the lowest class of men in the country ; but this admonition 



158 CURSING THE YANKEES. 

instead of rendering me cautious, only excited mc, and started 
within me a desire to " see the sights ;" and I therefore rode 
directly up to the grocery, Avhich, on my arrival, contained no 
man except the keeper. I at once dismounted, and entered, 
determined to see what the place was like. The landlord of the 
place Avas a very clever man — all grocery keepers are, you 
know, on the same principle that the cat is, Avhile you stroke it 
the way the fur lays — and at once entered into a conversation 
with me about the state of the country, and 0U7' prospects of 
whipping the yankees ; and of course, according to our figures, 
it would be easily accomplished. When he learned that I was 
a nephew of Albert Pike, he was glad to see me, and insisted on 
my remaining with him, which I did, from the time of my ar- 
rival, at noon, till ten o'clock the next day. 

During the afternoon, a party of men collected around the 
place to drink, talk politics, and curse the yankees ; and of 
course I bore my part, and if some of my yankee friends could 
have heard me " set them up," they would have been astonished 
at my hypocrisy, if not edified by my discourse. At supper, 
my new found friend shut up the grocery, and took me home 
with him to supper, and I was introduced to his wife and brother, 
as a nephew of Albert Pike. His wife prepared for me a 
splendid meal, while he took me around and showed me his 
place, stock, crops, and niggers, all of which, of course, I ad- 
mired. While we were eating supper, his brother came in, and 
called him out, and the two stood whispering together for some 
time in an excited manner, at the same time, as I thought, cast- 
ing suspicious glances at me ; after which the elder brother 
went away abruptly. What now, I wondered ; was there some 
scheme on foot against me ? They eyed me several times ex- 
oeedingly closely; and I asked myself: could there be any sus- 
picion against me? I had certainly not been indiscreet? then 
what could that hurried manner, and those sidelong glances 
portend? 

I began to think I had been followed from Texas by some 
rhidictive rebel, who wanted to prevent my going north, when 



AT A DANCE. 159 

the mystery was suddenly solved, without my being compelled to 
ask any questions. The man, whose name was White, informed 
me that his brother had just been in to invite us over to a 
dance. His daughter was married a few days since, and they 
had beeD dancing ever since. This was the third night, and the 
party would break up in the morning. What a weight of anxiety 
that declaration, which I saw was made in good faith, removed 
from my mind ! I tried to beg off, as I needed rest; but it was' 
of no use; his brother, he said, would accept no refusal; and 
without more ado, I went. 

We had a walk of about two miles through a gloomy swamp, 
when we began to hear the sound of a violin breaking the still- 
ness of the night; and also the sound of shuffling feet, keeping 
time to the music, together with the heavy rattling of a punch- 
eon floor; and very soon after, we emerged from among the 
bushes into a little clearing, where was a large double log-cabin : 
with lights streaming out through every crevice ; and into this 
we entered without ceremony. Forty or fifty stalwart men — 
real sons of the forest — were there, with checkered coats and 
what had been linen standing collars on heavy cotton shirts 
with no bosoms; but, alas ! exercise in a hot climate in midsum- 
mer generates sweat, and sweat will tell upon standing collars ; 
and theirs were clinging to the neck like wet rags ; they like- 
wise had on striped home-made pants, and very heavy cowhide 
boots. 

Some of the girls were truly handsome. I never was much 
of a critic of ladies' clothing, and, therefore, I will not here un- 
dertake to describe the outline, except to say that the dresses 
were of very costly material, and made after the very latest of 
rustic fashion, and each one was highly pleased with her appear- 
ance. 

On a kitchen table sat a very big, and, certainly, a very black 
negro, playing the violin, and calling off, in mellifluous sing-song 
tones, tuning his voice to the music of his instrument, perfectly. 
There were two cotillions on the floor, whirling and twirling, in 
the giddy mazes of the dance, to the voluptuously measured ca- 



160 ARKANSAS TRAVELER. 

dcnco of the " Arkansas Traveler; (who has not heard it?) 
The music is familiar to almost every ear, but, alas ! how few 
there are who have been so favored by Divine Providence and 
propitious circumstances as to have seen the "Arkansas Trav- 
eler" danced by natives to the manor "born " — no other people 
know the manner of its performance, as do the people of Ar- 
kansas ; and no other musician can render the piece on the vio- 
lin or banjo like a Arkansas plantation darkey. By the side of 
the fiddler sat a veteran banjo picker, who added much to the 
eifect of the music; and, as the fiddler called off the figures ot 
the dance, this old darkey would recite the dialogue of the Ar- 
kansas Traveler, keeping perfect time to the music. For the 
benefit of the reader who has never had the pleasure of seeing 
it performed, I will endeavor to convey an idea of it, although 
one can give but a faint conception, on paper : the thing must 
be seen and heard to be appreciated. 

The scene represents a belated traveler in Arkansas, in an 
" airly day." I suppose, reader, wdien your " dad " and mine 
were boys, or, perhaps, earlier, he halts before a dilapidated 
cabin, to see if he can get to stay all night. It is a miserable 
squalid place. The rain is pouring down in torrents, and the 
old man of the house is perched on a whisky barrel in the only 
dry corner, playing the first part of a tune. The children are 
huddled around the fire, peering curiously at the stranger, while 
the old woman, with one arm a-kimbo, is stirring a pot of mush 
over the fire, holding her dress back between her knees, to keep 
it from burning. The roof of the cabin is partly demolished; 
a couple of pigs ruminating about .on the ground-floor, and 
chickens, with dripping feathers, roosting on the timbers over 
head. This is the state of afi\iirs when the story opens ; the 
reader can gather the remainder as the old banjo player recites 
it. 

•' Balance all," shouts the fiddler; when the old banjo picker 
starts ofi" with: 

" Hello, ole man, kin I get ter stay here all nite, rad di di da 
di di da da da." 



THE DIALOGUE. 163 

" First and third couple, forward and back," yells the fiddler. 
" Ycr kin get ter go ter de ole boy, I guess," breaks in the 
banjo picker, keeping time with the dancers' feet. 
" First lady balance second gemman." 

'• I say, ole man, whar doe dis road go to, rad di di da di di da 
da?" 

" Swing," yells the fiddler, and old white head goes on with: 
" I ben a livin' here about forty years an' it aint gone no 
whar yit, ra di di da di di da da da," etc. 

" IIow far is it to de forks ob de road? rad di di da," etc. 
" Ef yer done kep on, yer done ben dar by dis time," then 
again chimed in his rad di di da di di da da da. 

"I say ole man, is ye gwine ter let me stay all nite ? rad di di 
da da." 
At the next break in the music, he answers : 
" Aint got nuffin to eat, stranger, yer better go on ter de nex 
house, rad di di da da," etc. 

" IIow far is it, ole man, to de nex house ? ra di di da da," etc. 
A pause then ensues, when he continues : 
" 'Bout nineteen miles, I guess, rad di di da," etc. 
" Ole man, dats too fur ter ride ter nite in de rain." 
He then paused, in order not to speak his part, when the 
other called off, but after the call, chimed in again : 
" I can't help dat, yer know, rad di di da da." 
After a moment's reflection, the traveler seems to resolve on 
a new course of tactics, and begins Avith : 

" I say, ole man, why don't yer put a new roof on ycr house ? 
rad di di da di di da da." 

" Oh, er's a rainen too hard." 

" Why don't yer put de roof on when it aint a rainen ? rad 
di di da," etc. 

" Oh, when er don't rain, er don't need it, rad di di da di di 
da." 

The old fellow keeps on playing, while the traveler again re- 
flects a moment; one thing is certain, it is raining too hard to 
proceed, and he must stop ; and a happy idea suggests itself. 
10 



164 PLATING THE WHOLE TUNE. 

Hitherto the man with the fiddle had only phiyed one part of the 
tune, and it seemed to be a favorite air; and the traveler, who 
is himself a master violinist and composer, says: 

" I say, ole man," (the reader will remember I give it as the 
darkey recited it), '' why don't yer play de rest ob dat piece? 
rad di di da di di da da." 

All this time the dance is progressing, and the young folks 
" spreading" themselves, and full of glee, at the recitation, while 
the violinist almost excels himself. 

" Don't know no more ; does you know it all ? rad di di da." 

" Sartinly, I does." Instantly the old man springs from the 
whisky barrel, invites the traveler to dismount, orders one of his 
own little urchins to put the traveler's horse in the stable, tells 
his wife to get supper, assures the traveler that his son will soon 
be back from mill ; has a chicken taken down and killed for sup- 
per, has a jug of whisky brought in from the smoke-house, and 
assures the traveler that they are not so nearly starved out as 
he had a moment before supposed ; then mounting his guest on 
the whisky barrel, gives him the fiddle, and calls for the balance 
of the tune, which was played with a gusto, and christened the 
" Arkansas Traveler," since so popular among violinists. 

The dance was exceedingly amusing. The girls moved very 
lightly and with considerable grace ; but the men made a tre- 
mendous lumbering over the loose puncheon floor. When it 
came to the '•balance all," the heeling and toeing of those heavy 
boots, was positively horrifying ; but the ''swing" was rendered 
with such a hearty good will, and the girls seemed to enjoy it 
so well, that I almost wished I was a dancer myself. 

Tiie bride showed us to the supper room, Avhere we found a 
table loaded with every luxui-y which the State could aff'ord. We 
did justice to the viands, and then went back to the dance. 
The bride was anxious to dance with me ; at least her uncle told 
uie so ; and I felt considerably abashed, when I told him I could 
not dance. Not to be able to dance, in Arkansas, is as bad as 
to be no horseman, in Texas. The bride went through one set 
with her uncle, who appeared to be about the best dancer in the 



OLD FASHIONED SOCIAL LIFE. 165 

house. The girls all seemed to vie with her, which made me 
conclude that they wished themselves in her place; while the 
ladj herself acted and looked as pretty as she knew how. 

The fiddler threw all his powers into his playing and his sten- 
torian voice ; and the men heeled and toed with 1 hearty good- 
Avill,and the puncheons rattled beneath their measured, swinging 
tread. It was a complete and graphic picture of good old flsl° 
ioned social life. Indeed, the dancers exerted themselves so 
long, and well, that the puncheons seemed to take up their spirit, 
and appeared as if endeavoring to extemporize a hornpipe on 
their own hook. I had often heard the old story of the man in 
Arkansas who gathered up half a bushel of toe nails on his 
floor, after a dance ; and I was scarcely inclined to doubt its 
truth, after what I witnessed on that night. 

We enjoyed ourselves hugely, till after twelve o'clock, when 
^•e went back to my friend's house. When I was about to 
start, on the following day, he insisted that I should remain 
longer with him ; but I urged the pressing state of aifairs, tell- 
ing him that we Southerners must take the field, as quickly as 
possible, if we would prevent the country from being overrun 
by the Yankee vandals of the North. Excuse me, reader, but 
I was talking at a mark then. 

^ When I arrived at Little Rock, I found the town full of sol- 
diers, who had come in response to the first call of the Gov- 
ernor for three thousand men ; and these were the same troops 
who fought at Wilson's Creek, a short time after. While at Lit- 
tle Rock, I was attacked by bilious fever, and was sick for ten 
days. I stopped at a hotel kept by Capt. Lee, who was a violent 
secessionist. My story about being a nephew of Albert Pike, 
was^of great service to me; and I was enabled to keep up ap- 
pearances, without being detected, by the fact that he and his 
sons were all out in the Indian Nation, recruiting savages for 
the rebel service. 

■When I got well, and was able to leave, I found myself guard 
bound. The town was under military law, and every road was 
picketed, so that escape was next to impossible. I had been 



166 SHIPPING AS A CARPENTER. 

compelled to sell my horse to pay expenses Avliile sick, get- 
ting but fifteen dollars for an animal worth at least one hund- 
red ; and I was walking alcng the levee a little disconsolate, 
when I saw a little steamboat called the William Henry, and I 
immediately Avent on board of her. Looking around, I saw the 
carpenter at work on the bow, and I stepped up to him, and in- 
quired if he wanted any help, telling him I would assist him 
down to Napoleon, for my fare. To this proposition he readily 
assented,' remarking that he always liked to have help when 
there was work to do. 

"While I was talking to him he stuck the foot adze into his foot, 
and cut the bis toe almost loose from his left foot. The blood 
flowed profusely, and I at once set myself to work and bandaged 
up the AYOund, in the presence of the captain and mate, and he 
was sent to the hospital immediately. As soon as this was done, 
the captain turned to me and said : 

'•Young man, are you a ship carpenter?" 

"They call me one," I replied. 

"Do you want to ship ?" was his next question. 

"Yes, for a while," was my response. 

"Then go to work," said he, "and I'll give you fifty-five dol- 
lars a month, and fare in the cabin." 

"I'll do it," was my response, "as long as I like the boat; 
and I'll tell you how I like* it at Napoleon." 

He was satisfied, and turned away, while I went on shore for 
my outfiit. At the tavern, I found no one but a negro clerk, to 
whom I paid my bill ; and, as he had too much manners to be in- 
quisitive, I left the house without being reported to the police — 
the hotels being required to report all arrivals and departures 
to the military authorities. Once more on the boat, she soon 
shoved out, and I began to feel tolerably safe. I found there 
would be plenty of work all the time, but as I had never been a 
carpenter — never having worked a stroke on either house or 
boat in my life, I was a little afraid I should not be able to sus- 
tain myself in that capacity. "A still tongue makes a wise 
head," was my motto then ; for I did not know the technical 



CARRYING WAR TO THE NORTH. 167 

terms used by carpenters or boatsmen. I did not know even 
all the names of the tools furnished me to work with ; so it was 
manifestly to my interest to preserve silence. I went to work, 
however with confidence, and energy ; resolved, if they found 
out how little I knew, it should be by observation, and not from 
anything I might say. The work must have been creditably 
done, for I heard the captain boast to the pilot that I was the 
best "chip" he ever had. My greatest horror was a recruiting 
officer, named Harrison, who come down to see me. He was a 
reckless man, a planter, who seemed to care little for money, 
and I may add, for anything else. He said he wanted to raise 
a company of guerrillas, for the purpose of "carrying the war 
into Africa ;" and that he wanted young men who were not 
afraid to follow him, and that he intended to go right into the 
Northern States. 

This boast may be a little amusing, but Mr. Harrison was not 
the only one who at that time indulged in such hallucinations, 
and who entertained such wild hopes. He intended, he said, 
when he got into the Northern States, to "go for all that was 
in sight, and let the tail go with the hide." I told him he was 
just the man to suit me, but I Avas engaged on the boat, and 
could not quit her. His was the sort of service I liked, but I 
could not go into it now, at least until the captain could get 
another " chip ;" but in the event that I enlisted, I would have a 
preference for his- company; and to make him believe I was se- 
rious, I took his address. He was one of the men who accom- 
panied Lopez to Cuba, and said he had been in two fights on 
that island in an hour and a quarter. He was satisfied to take 
my name as I gave it — Mr. Fitzhugh. He would stand and talk 
to me and the other boat hands by the hour, and often puzzled 
me by his sudden and almost inexplicable questions. 

At Napoleon I sawed out five large hatches in the boat, so 
that freight could be stowed very rapidly in the hull ; and after 
this had been done, the men benran to load her throughout Avith 
military stores. The boxes were handled very carelessly, and 
would frequently split open, when I would be called upon to 



/ 



168 SICK AT MEMPHIS. 

nail them up. They were filled -with harness of all kinds. Be- 
sides these the boat took on a large quantity of ammunition for 
musketry and artillery, and also a full battery of guns, and sixty- 
five government wagons; all consigned to Fort Scott, Arkansas, 
for the use of Ben McCulloch's army. The next morning a 
large boat — the Mary Kean — came alongside, and I told the cap- 
triin I was too weak to work, and would consequently go up to 
IMemphis on her. He did not like to have me leave him, but 
seeing that I was really not in good health, he oifered no objec- 
tion. The best of the joke was, I told him I wanted to go into 
the service, and that, by confederate law, he dare not dissuade 
me from going. On board the Kean I found a great number of 
rebel officers, strutting about in new uniforms and guantlet 
gloves, with all the dignity of princes of high degree. I took 
one look in the cabin, and that was enough for me ; and I in- 
stantly put doAvn on deck, and stowed my humble self away on 
a lot of cofifeesacks. 

The fever had returned on me, and I was sufi"ering terribly. 
At Memphis I stopped at the "Woodruff" House," a neat little 
tavern, kept by a Avoman named Smith, whose husband was in 
the rebel army, and was stationed at that time at Fort Pillow. 
At this house I remained sick a week, and when well enough to 
go out, I found myself once more guard-bound, with a duller 
chance of making my escape than at Little Rock. 

The first thing I did was to visit all the depots, at each one 
of which I found a provost guard stationed, who inspected the 
passes of passengers. I made a careless inquiry, and found 
that every road leading from the city was picketed. It was at 
the time when Tennesseans Avere moving their troops through 
Memphis into Missouri, a great part of which Avere at Wilson's 
creek. 

The provost marshal's office was kept by Col. C. H. Morgan, 
a man, by the by, Avho very much resembled the notorious John 
n. ; and to him I Avent, telling him that I Avanted to go to Bour- 
bon county, Kentucky, Avhere my parents lived. 

" Well, sir," said he, " you must bring Avith you two respecta- 



RUNNING THE GUAED. 169 

Lie witnesses, -whom I know, to testify that you are a good 
Southern man." 

I replied that it would be useless to try to do that, as I was 
an utter stranger in the city, and that no one knew any more 
of me than he did ; and he at once informed me that I could not 
leave the city. At this I got angry, and told him I would go 
without a pass, and he replied that he would have me arrested. 
I at once moved for the door, and as he had no guard, he could 
not stop me. I told him that I did not think his recommenda- 
tion would be of much value to me or any other honest man, and 
then made tracks. 

This was in the evening, and that night I sold my Mexican 
saddle and other equipments, which had belonged to my horse, 
so that I was without baggage, except a pair of saddlebags, to 
carry; and I resolved at once to get out of Memphis at all 
hazards. 

Next morning, as I was standing in the door, I saw a great 
crowd about the market-house, which was only a sliort distance 
from the tavern ; and when I first observed them, they were just 
about scattering to go home. There were a great many country 
wagons there, which had come with produce; and these were 
about to leave the city, and it occurred to me that the opportune 
moment for escape had arrived. I hurried off, and paid my bill, 
and then walked to the market-house, and hailed a countryman, 
asking him to let me ride in his wagon. He did so cheerfully, 
and when in I asked to be permitted to drive, to which he 
agreed ; and taking off my ranger blouse, I threw it in the 
wagon, and we drove out. There were provost guards on duty 
in the streets, arresting every suspicious person ; and there were 
pickets at the end of each street, but they did not stop us, as 
they evidently supposed we were both farmers ; and on Ave rat- 
tled through two camps of five thousand men each, and finally 
reaching a point about six miles from the town, I parted from 
my friend, and took the road for Nashville on foot. 

At Summerville I was stopped by a crowd of men who were 
very anxious to know who I was, where I was from, where I \Yas 



170 BEFORE A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. 

going, what I had been doing, and what I was going to do, and 
so on; and they also appeared exceedingly anxious to ascertain 
my political opinions. Of course I was secesh. I had been 
warned before I got to town that I had better go around it, as 
no one was allowed to pass through it, unless they were well 
known rebels. Nothing daunted, however, I halted in the vil- 
lage, and sure enough, was overhauled and placed in the hands 
of the vigilance committee. 

On learning that I had been a ranger, one of them, a Mr 
Reeves, inquired if I knew any man of his name in Texas. 

" Calvin Reeves ?" I asked. 

" Yes ; and he is my brother," was the response. He then 
asked me a great number of questions, which I answered without 
hesitation, and so truthfully, that my account corresponded ex- 
actly with that which Reeves had given himself. We had both 
been in Johnston's regiment, and our narratives corresponded 
exactly. The examination lasted from twelve o'clock till dark, 
after which they professed themselves satisfied that all was right 
and released me, telling me that I could go on. But I had not 
proceeded more than a hundred yards before I was called back, 
and one of them said to me : 

" You say you are going home ?" 

" Yes, sir ;" I replied. 

"You live in Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky?" 

" Yes, sir." 

"And you intend to fight for the south, do you?" my ques- 
tioner persisted. 

"I will if I know myself," said I. 

" You think you will stick to your principles, when you get 
there?" he said. 

" Y^'es, sir, I feel very confident of that," I answered. 

" Y'^ou know," he continued, " that a good many Kentuckians 
are a little tender-footed noAV ; they do n't like to come out 
against the Tnion, and they do n't like to go with the abolition- 
ists ; arid I am afraid when you get back there, you will let them 
talk you out of your principles." 



MIDNIGHT VISIT. 171 

"I am not so easily converted as that comes to," said I, jocu- 
larly. 

" Well, how is it," he asked, " that you are on foot ?" 

"Because," was the reply, "I am unable to ride." 

"Well, then," said he, "we will help you;" and they accord- 
ingly made up a purse of eight dollars and seventy-five cents 
and gave it to me. 

" Now," said one, " you go over to the tavern and stay all 
night." 

I arose to comply, and was thanking them for their kind in- 
terest in my welfare, when a stout looking man, who had sat in 
a group of three or four others, apart from the near ones, rose 
and remarked : 

"Young man, I think you had better go with me; I will give 
you accommodations for the night." 

He then led the way, and I .followed him home, and he gave 
me a very good supper, after which I retired at once. All this 
time I Tt'as wondering; what made him take such an interest in 
me. After I was in bed. Reeves and a lawyer visited me, who 
said they had called to have some further talk about Calvin 
Reeves and his doings in Texas; and it was not until I had told 
them a second time all my acquaintance and experience with him 
that I discovered they were comparing my statement with his. 

" Why," I asked, " have you not seen him yet ? He left Texas 
some time since, to come home." 

"0 yes," they replied, "he has been at home, but has now 
gone off to fight the yankees." 

They bowed themselves out about midnight, after having talked 
me nearly to sleep several times. The most of the conversation 
was about politics, and I excused my ignorance on the different 
topics advanced, by telling them I had just got in ofi" the plains, 
and was not posted; but taking good care to be just secesh 
enough to give confidence, and not strong enough to arouse sus- 
picion. 

When they had gone, I began to flatter myself that I was done 
with them ; and that now all were satisfied and I should be 



172 AT HOME AGAIN. 

trouTjletl no more. Next morning I met mj host at the break- 
fast table, and found him dressed for a jouincy. lie then began 
a conversation by remarking : 

" My name is John D. Stanly ; I am sheriff of this county, and 
am going do^vn the road ■uith you as fiir as La Grange. It is 
nearly car time now." 

lie then added that a man had been killed at La Grange, and 
he was going down to see about it. We went to the cars to- 
gether and occupied the same seat; and on our journey he kept 
up a continued questioning ; but I was not to be thrown off my 
guard. He, however, only went as far as Warsaw with me, and 
then returned to Summerville, while I took the train to JNashville. 
His story about the murder, was, doubtless, a hoax, or he would 
have gone on with me to La Grange. 

Nashville was the only civil place I had been in yet; and there 
was less of bitterness than I had seen elsewhere. 

At this place I was met b}^ my father, to whom I had written, 
requesting him to meet me there. His journey was made at the 
imminent risk of arrest and incarceration in prison ; but fortu- 
nately he had a commission from Governor Magoffin, of Ken- 
tucky, on which he got through. As king Isham G. Harris 
remarked : 

"Col. P , that is a better pass than lean give you;" and 

I believed him when he said it, for at that time Gov. Magoffin's 
name would pass a man in either section, ^nd Harris' would not. 

In due time we arrived at Portsmouth, Ohio, where my father 
was publishing a paper at that time ; and the reader may imagine 
my joy at again meeting my mothc and sister in a land of fre- 
dom ; though my joy was marred by the fact that my youngest 
brother was lying at the point of death. Three weeks after I 
returned, he expired, dying a christian's death, full of hope in 
eternal life. 



CHAPTER XY. 

IN THE UNION SERVICK — THE KENTUCKY CAJIPAIGN. 

I HAD intended on arriving at home to enlist in the Union 
army, and under the old starry banner at once, but deferred the 
matter on account of my brother's sickness; but within a few 
days after his death I enlisted at Portsmouth to join Fremont's 
body guard, but eventually went into the 4th Ohio Cavalry, 
commanded by Colonel John Kennett. I was sworn into the 
service by Lieutenant S. K. Williams, and was sworn into the 
4th Cavalry again by Captain 0. P. Robie, of Company A, at 
Cincinnati, and on the 16th of September, 1861, found myself 
at Camp Gurley, undergoing lessons in the intricacies of the 
cavali'y drill under Sergeant Charles D. Henry, of Company A. 

We drew horses soon after I arrived in camp, and after a few 
weeks of preparation in tactics and the usual amount of soldier 
pranks in the neighborhood, we moved to Camp Dennison, when 
on the 20th day of November we were finally mustered into the 
service. We remained at Camp Dennison till the latter part of 
winter, or the first of spring, when Ave were ordered into Ken- 
tucky. I was exceedingly sick of the idleness of camp life, and 
hailed marching orders with delight, as did all the boys, who, 
like myself, delighted in a roving life. 

I do not recollect the day of the month on which we left Ohio, 
but Ave at once proceeded to Louisville, stopping a brief period 
at Camp Kennett, near JeiTersonville, and in due course of time 
found ourselves on the mudbound shores of Bacon creek. This 
historic stream derived its name from a circumstance connected 
with the early settlement of Kentucky ; a lot of hunters having 
encamped upon it to bacon their bear meat. This fact I 
learned from the "oldest inhabitant," and considering the cir- 



174 ADVANCE ON BOWLING GREEN. 

cumstances and the cusroms of pioneers, I have no doubt of its 
correctness. 

At this time we were under command of General 0. M. 
Mitchell, and it is perhaps unnecessary here to add that men 
under so energetic a commander were never idle. We scouted 
the country thoroughly in every direction, but did not meet the 
enemy at any point willing to give us battle, and hence we had 
no fighting in Kentucky. During our trip down Green river, 
we all suffered severely from cold and exposure, but the rebels 
always retired before us ; and perhaps they were right. 

On leaving Bacon creek, we marched on Bowling Green, 
General Mitchell being, as was usual with him, in great haste to 
follow up the flying enemy ; and such was his energy, and so 
well appointed was everything in his army, that the obstructions 
in the roads, upon which the rebels had wasted so much labor, 
scarcely formed an impediment to his march. He had a regi- 
ment of pioneers from Michigan who Avere the best working 
men I ever saw, and they cleared the way for the advance with 
a rapidity almost unparalleled. 

The army advanced on Bowling Green while the detachment 
I was with was on a scout down Green river; and on coming 
in. Captain Robie and myself galloped our horses all the way 
from Mumfordsville to Bowling Green, a distance of thirty-four 
miles. About a mile from Mumfordsville we found, by the 
side of the railroad, the corpse of a boy belong to General 
Sill's old regiment; he had died at a hospital near by, and the 
steward had sent three other sick men to carry the body to 
Mumfordsville, and they had sunk exhausted by the road. A 
train which had been out in that direction refused to take the 
body on for the men, and while I was looking at the corpse the 
same engine came back, and when it stopped I called the conduc- 
tor, but he refused with an oath to take the body on the train, 
saying he had enough live men on. This enraged me consider- 
ably, and I drew a pistol on him, which had a very decided effect 
indeed, and he helped to put the corpse on the train. He, 
however, threatened to report me for stopping him, but at that 



CROSSING BIG BARREN RIVER. 175 

moment Captain Robie came up, and the fellow found it con- 
venient to have nothing moi^e to say. I suppose he delivered 
the corpse in Mumfordsville, but he was mean enough to throw 
it off the train. The boy was a fine looking youth — sixteen 
years of age, and the sight of it and of the exhausted, sorrow- 
stricken soldiers, would have melted any but a heart of stone. 

We arrived at Bowling Green just as Captain Loo mis, of the 
Coldwater Battery, from Michigan, was shelling the Johnnies 
out of the place. At the instant I rode up to the river bank, I 
espied General Mitchell with his hat off, calling for volunteers — 
I did not know for what — but I volunteered, when I discovered 
that it was to carry a rope over Big Barren\ river, in order to 
enable him to swing a pontoon over the stream. Sergeant 
Frank Robie, another soldier and myself, mounted a little raft 
made of plank, on which we put a coil of rope, and then we 
pushed out, paying out the coil as we went. The raft was a 
small, frail structure, and the current setting against the rope 
made it swing up and down, so that we were frequently in the 
water up to our knees, and as the river ran very swiftly, the 
reader may very well imagine that we had a dangerous ride of 
it, to say nothing about the bullets of the rebels, from the 
opposite shore — about twenty of which were fired at us while we 
were engaged in the work, though luckily none of them took 
effect ; but our infantry firing soon made the reprobates " light 
out" from their position. 

Captam Loomis knocked the stack off the locomotive just as 
the train loaded with rebel soldiers was about to start out, and 
they barely had time to save themselves as we entered the town. 

We finally got a rope over, through the protection afforded us 
by our infantry, and by the assistance of Lieutenant Shoemaker, 
of the Fourth Cavalry, Captain Yates, of the engineers, began 
throwing in his pontoons. The bridge would soon have been 
completed; but, at this point, General Mitchell rode up, and 
told us we could all go to bed now, as some of the men had 
found a ferry boat two miles below, which was capable of con- 



17G REBEL THIEVING. 

veying two liundred men, and that that wouhl be sufficient to ac- 
complish his purpose. 

Part of the 19th lUinois and 18th Ohio infantry were double- 
quicked down the river, at once, to the boat, and crossed over, 
and then double-quicked up again, on the opposite side of the 
stream to the town, in time to drive out the rear guard of the 
i-ebcls — some five hundred in number, who were busily engaged 
in destroying the place. 

On the first night after our arrival at Bowling Green, an attempt 
was made to fire the stables where our horses were, with a view 
to the destruction of the animals ; but Providence favored us, 
and the wind suddenly changed, and the flames did not commu- 
nicate to the buildings. Had they done so, our stock would 
have certainly perished in the flames, as w:e could not have 
released the horses in time. Seven large brick buildings were 
destroyed, and some frames were burned, between the stables 
and the public square. These were the first ones fired, and the 
incendiaries believed the flames would reach the stables, and 
destroy both horses and equipments ; but their purposes were 
foiled, by the shifting of the wind. 

On the following morning, detachments of our cavalry scoured 
the country in every direction, capturing a great many rebels, 
who were destroying property and pillaging houses, passing 
themselves off as federal soldiers. It was a common game and 
one easily played, amid the panic and excitement that followed 
the fall of Bowling Green ; the people having been made to believe 
there was no crime too vile for the " Northern vandals." But 
the cavalry soon came over, and the citizens could readily dis- 
cover the difference, and they began, at once, to inform us where 
these rebel depredators were to be found. 

Seven hundred rebels were reported in the vicinity of Russcl- 
ville, while yet others were prowling around in the county, and 
Lieutenant Harris with a small detachment was sent out to de- 
stroy the railroad, of which party I was one. We went to 
South Union, in Logan county, where I was sent out with seven 



A GRAND RUSE. 177 

men a short distance below, to stand picket. While on dutv a 
very remarkable looking man rode up to me and said : 

" I am told you have come here to protect citizens in their 
lives and property." 

"Yes," I replied, '" that is our purpose." 
" Well," he continued, " my name is Ray ; I am a physician, 
and I own an interest in a large steam mill, five miles further 
down in the country, and it is to be burned to-night by the Texas 
Rangers; twenty-five of whom were detailed to burn it, and 
several others in the county. Can you do anything to save it?" 
"Yes, sir," Avas my response, "get my men some supper, 
while I go back and see my commanding officer." 

I went to see the Lieutenant, back at the town, while Dr. Ray 
was preparing supper for the squad. The Lieutenant at once 
gave me permission to go to the mill, if I desired to do so; 
and, after reaching the picket post, the Doctor came with the 
provisions, and I told him I was ready. We started immedi- 
ately for the 'town of Auburn, where the mill was located; 
when the Doctor looked anxiously around, and asked : 
" Where are your men ? " 

I told him I did not need any soldiers, but would call on the 
citizens for help, and inquired how many could be relied on in 
an emergency, and he said about twenty ; and I told him that 
was enough provided I could get them out. When we reached 
the mill, we succeeded in raising but half a dozen men, includ- 
ing the miller and his employees. I then told the Doctor that 
he must go into the mill and pile all the empty barrels up as hio^h 
as he could reach, so that when one pile is pushed over, the whole 
lot would tumble down with it, and make a great racket. 
" Then," I said, "I will fire off my gun, and then you knock the 
empty barrels about, and shout: ' Turn out the guard ;' and 'Fall 
in, men,' and we will make as much noise as if there was an 
hundred of us," after which I went into the coopershop to in- 
struct the men. There were several good places for protection 
in the shop, from which tbey were to fire on any advancing 
party, after I had discharged the signal gun ; and to all my ar- 



178 TOO MUCH NOISE FOR REBELS. 

rangcments the party agreed. The miller then went to his house 
and brought down hot biscuits, fresh butter, sweet milk and eggs, 
for a lunch, which we greedily consumed ; after which two of 
the party went out to patrol the vicinity. We kept turn now 
guarding till about eleven o'clock at night, when one of the 
men came running in, almost breathless with excitement, saying, 
that they were coming from down the road. 

I stationed the men to my notion, and began to walk a beat be- 
fore the mill, taking good care to make sufficient noise with my 
saber, resolved to attract attention. Very soon a small party of 
horsemen came at a gallop toward us ; and when they were 
Avithin gunshot, I shouted " halt," and immediately fired on 
them. The effect was magical. The rebels wheeled in confu- 
sion, running for their lives ; while my men fired upon them 
as fast as they could, and the old doctor thundered the barrels 
about, and yelled like a madman. 

The enemy were ignominiously defeated — put to flight. The 
doctor jumped and capered with joy, to see the efi"ect of our 
strategy; it even seemed to make him young again. As soon 
as the excitement was over, we reloaded our pieces, piled up our 
barrels, and waited for a second attack, as we felt certain they 
would not give it up that way; but notwithstanding our expec- 
tations they did, and we were not disturbed by that party. 

However, just after midnight another party advanced upon us, 
and we again stood on the defensive; but no sooner did I challenge 
the advancing men, than I recognized the voice of ^lajor Dreis- 
bach, of the 4th Ohio Cavalry, and among the men was Captain 
Robie, of Company A; and we were not obliged to renew either 
our firing or our strategy. 

From this place I was sent to Russelville, to ascertain the 
strength of the force there, and such other particulars as would 
be of advantage to the service. I rode rapidly, in order to get 
in the town at night, and out again before daylight, so that I 
might obtain and communicate the desired information, before 
he came near enough to engage the enemy. They Avere repre- 
sented at seven hundred strong; while the Major's command 



CAPTURE OF RUSSELVILLE. 181 

only numbered one hundred men. I sTicceeded in getting into 
the town, and rousing some of the inhabitants, represented my- 
self as a confederate quartermaster, and asked them to tell me 
^Yhere the Texas Rangers were, and inquired about Col. Wharton 
and other rebel oiBcers, with the air of an old acquaintance. 
They informed me that the regiment had left town about an hour 
before ; but if I would hurry on, I would overtake them at 
Whippoorwill Station; and that' they intended to burn the 
bridge at that place, and would be delayed a short time. I 
next inquired about the government property there; and one 
man went to show me the diiferent stores of flour and other 
provisions, of Avhich there was an immense quantity in town; 
after which I went to Grey's tavern and ordered breakfast for a 
hundred Texan Rangers, telling him to have it ready for us just 
at daylight, which he promised to do, and I rode off to our com- 
mand. 

All this was done so quickly and coolly, that the citizens were 
not alarmed, and we even captured some of Wharton's men who 
were sleeping in town, at various houses ; while the amount of 
stores which fell into our hands, was immense. 

The landlord had taken me at my word, and we had a splen- 
did breakfast, which had been prepared for the Rangers, who, 
alas, for my veracity, turned out to be real blue-coated Yankees. 
However, we devoured our meal with as much relish, and as great 
an amount of enjoyment, as if we had come from the banks of 
the Rio Grande, and ridden all the way to Russelville in a day. 
To tell the truth, we were fearfully hungry, and did as hungry 
men do. 

Circumstances were such that the troops were soon recalled 
from the town, and they evacuated it, while I was down on the 
Tennessee line, whither I had been sent on another scout, by 
the Major. When I returned, I found myself alone, and twenty- 
seven miles from our lines. On passing through, I discovered 
that the people had commenced to carry off the public stores ; 
and I at once ordered them to stop, telling them if they did not, 
I would bring a company of men and lay the town in ashes ; and 
11 



182 DRINKING TO THE UNION. 

my threat had the desired effect. At the depot I found another 
gang rolling out the flour, and hauling it off in wagons, and I 
gave them the same warning, but they did not yield so readily. 
They asked me if I possessed the authority to make the order, 
and if I was a commissioned officer, etc. This fretted me a 
little, and drawing my pistol, I rode in among them, and made 
them roll every barrel back into the depot again; and then 
shutting and barring the doors, I told them I would kill the next 
man I found near the place. 

While I was down at Allensville, I met a two-horse carriage, 
in which were four old men and one young man, who seemed to 
be about twenty-five years of age. Entering into a conversa- 
tion with them, I soon discovered that the old men were Union 
men, and that they had got stuck on some confederate money, 
and that they were going to Nashville to dispose of it for Ken- 
tucky State notes ; but the young man, as if trying to draw my 
sentiments from me, expressed himself in the bitterest terms as 
a rebel. While the conversation was going on, one of the old 
gentlemen produced a flask of whisky, and passed it first to the 
other three, and then to me; asking at the same time, if I ever 
drank. I told them that I seldom drank anything stronger than 
brandy, and "laid hold." Raising the flask, I said, gentlemen, 
let us drink to the Constitution and the Union ; when the old 
men shouted " hurrah for the Constitution and the Union," 
The young man, however, put his head out and fairly yelled : 
"No, sir, I 'm a rebel; I won't drink any such sentiment; I 
will die first." My first impulse was to thrust my pistol in his 
face and blow his brains out; but he was unarmed and 1 would 
not shoot a defenseless man. 

I was alone, and could not be bothered with prisoners ; but I 
was fully determined to punish him in some way. Without an- 
swering his vehement expostulation, I turned up the flask and 
drank very leisurely, without the least show of anger, and then 
riding close to the carriage, I took the flask in my left hand, 
and passed it to the young villain, and drawing my pistol with 
my right, I deliberately leveled it on his breast, and said calmly : 



GREAT QUANTITIES OF STORES. 183 

" Now, sir, you will drink or die ;" and I meant it, for that was 
the only chance I intended to give him for his life. He seized 
the flask with trembling hand, his face pale with fright, and, in 
spite of his recent boasting refusal, he drank until I got afraid 
I would make him kill himself with whisky, and told him he 
could stop ; that I did not want him to drown himself witli 
Bourbon. Then giving him a few words of counsel, I allowed 
them all to proceed on their journey, and I turned my attention 
to the depot, which was surrounded by a villainous looking 
crowd of disappointed rebels, who had probably met to counsel 
over the evacuation of Kentucky and their own fate. 

There were seven hundred barrels of corn at Auburn, three 
hundred barrels at Russellville, seven hundred at McCloud's 
switch, one hundred barrels at Whippoorwill, and as much 
more at Allensville ; and at all of these places there were con- 
siderable quantities of Avhcat, and at Russellville there Averc 
stores of mess beef, pork, flour, and arms. I felt that all these 
things should not be left without a guard, and I well knew we 
had no men to spare, so I put each depot, and all the stores in 
the vicinity, in charge of the nearest wealthy citizen, telling him 
I would hold him responsible for the safety of the buildings and 
their contents ; and that if a dollar's worth was lost or destroyed, 
he would be compelled to make compensation. 

After this, I returned to Bowling Green, and reported my 
proceedings to Colonel Stanley, Avho was post commandant 
there. He approved my proceedings, and directed me to hold 
the things, till he could send down a guard, which I did, riding 
from one end to the other of my beat every day — a distance of 
thirty-two miles. 

As soon as our forces had repaired the railroad, they began 
to remove all the stores to Boiivling Green, and I was relieved 
from guard duty, and returned to South Union, on my way to 
Bowling Green. Here I was taken sick, with something border- 
ing on pneumonia, and I was compelled to stop at the house of 
the agent of the Shakers, a venerable man, named Shannon. 
The women of the society took me into the house, and prepared 



184 COMING IT OVER GUERRILLAS. 

a bed for me, and nursed me with the greatest care, until I -was 
well enough to travel again. I was walking about in three or 
four days, and at that time a justice of the peace, named Carson, 
from Butler county, came to see me, telling me of two men, 
named Robinson and Keaton, terrors to his neighborhood, 
who were constantly committing depredations. They claimed 
to be Union soldiers ; but my informant stated that they robbed 
all they came to, regardless of their political sentiments. 

All I could do in this matter, was to arrest the men, and take 
them to Bowling Green ; and it was sixteen miles from where I 
was, to the place where the depredations were committed. I 
started, however, for the scene of the troubles, and on my' way 
I met a man named Mobly, and another named Gines, who were 
known guerrillas, and who had done much mischief in the coun- 
try. I told them I was informed that they were good, law abid- 
ing citizens, and I wished them to join me, and help me arrest a 
couple of men, who were "raising Cain" down below. 

At first they objected, and did not at all like to go. One 
made an excuse that his wife was sick, and had no wood chopped; 
and he must hurry home and cut some ; while the other (I be- 
lieve it was Mobly), said that he was necessarily compelled to 
go to mill, otherwise his family " had obleeged to suffer." 

"Where do you live?" I asked ; and they pointed in the di- 
rection, Avhich, as I suspected, was exactly contrary to the one 
they were riding. My suspicions were well-founded ; they were 
just then going somewhere to plot, or execute mischief; they 
were mounted on extraordinarily fine horses, and appeared like 
very resolute men. I remarked that from the direction they 
were traveling, I did not think they were going to attend to 
domestic affairs; and added: "I am a United States officer, 
and you can not refuse to assist me." Seeing that no excuse 
would avail, they went along ; but I made it a point to put them 
in the road in front of me, so I could watch them. When I 
named the men I intended to arrest, they were greatly relieved ; 
they were rejoiced at getting rid of two such men, as the ones 
referred to, who were their bitter enemies. 



FIVE OUTLAWS CAPTURED. 185 

They even threw off all appearance of reluctance, and went 
with me willingly. Passing through the little town, I had an- 
other man pointed out to me as one who had been in the "Wood- 
bury fight only a short time before, and had come recently 
from the rebel army; and hailing him, without arousing his sus- 
picion that I knew anything of his antecedents, I told him the 
same that I had told the others. He tried to beg off, pleading 
a sick wife; but I informed him I could not possibly excuse 
him ; for if I excused him I must do the same for the others, as 
they had made a similar request. I stated that he had been 
recommended to me as a very proper man for the work ; that he 
was anxious to restore law and order, and I could, under no cir- 
cumstances, dispense with his services. He then invited me to 
dine with him, while his boy caught his horse, which I readily 
consented to do. We then mounted and rode in the direction 
of Kitchen's still-house, where the parties Avere supposed to be. 
There had just been a religious meeting in the neighborhood of 
the still-house, and a large number of men — good Union men, 
too — had gathered around to drink whisky, and talk politics ; 
and among the number were Keaton and Robinson. I gave my 
rifle to Porter while I arrested Robinson, leaving Porter to 
guard the prisoner while I took Keaton into custody. I then 
gave their arms to my citizen guards, and we mounted them on 
their horses, and made for Bowling Green, followed by threats and 
execrations of Union men, who did not know their real charac- 
ter. The last thing I heard was the voice of the old man Kit- 
chen, who shouted that he had forty men and thirty muskets, 
and he would have the men away from me before we got five 
miles, adding : " The secesh are having a good time, to-day, ar- 
resting; Union men Avith federal soldiers;" but he did not know 
the joke I had in store for the secesh. The next day I reached 
Bowling Green, after traveling nearly all night, with my prison- 
ers, who were turned over to Col. Stanley, at the same time pre- 
ferring charges against each. 

I only claimed to have captured five prisoners ; but Col. Stan- 
ley (of the 18th Ohio) tells the story differently. I had barely 



186 REWARD FOR A EEBEL GOVERNOR. 

got my prisoners delivered to the Colonel, when the old man 
Kitchen, who really was a good Unionist, got to Bowling Green 
with about forty men, and demanded to know why Keaton 
and Robinson had been arrersted. The Colonel answered him 
politely, and Avas about to dismiss him and his squad, when a 
well-known Union man identified three bushwhackers in the 
party, and the Colonel, who had an aversion for that class of 
men, ordered them all to be arrested and sent to jail. I do not 
know what ever became of the party, but Col. Stanley always 
told the story that I had brought him eight prisoners single- 
handed. 

While at Shaker Town I wrote out the following advertise- 
ment for T. J. Shannon and other loyal citizens : 

G 1-4 CENTS REWARD! 

" Ran away from the town of Bowling Green, in Warren county, Ken- 
tucky, one Geori^e W. Johnson, who chximed to be Provisional Governor 
of Kentucky. No inquiry would have been made concerning his where- 
abouts, but for the fact that he had notified the people of Kentucky that 
they must pay their taxes to him, for the benefit of the so-styled Confede- 
rate States of America; and whereas, the people of Kentucky, and Logan 
county in particular, are law-abiding citizens, and desire earnestly to pay 
their taxes promptly, and the said George W. Johnson and his ten legal 
advisers having absconded, and the sheriff appointed by said "legal advis- 
ers " being afraid to act, the citizens of Logan county will pay the above 
reward for his apprehension ; but no thanks for his return. The person 
claiming the reward is to change a $20 Confederate States note at its face. 

''Feb. 22, 1862." "Many Citizens." 

The advertisement was duly posted in three conspicuous 
places, but the money was never claimed. Johnson was after- 
ward arrested, as I learn, but the captor never asked the reward. 
Death overtook him at Shiloh. 

At the same place, I captured a rebel soldier, named Blewitt, 
and took him before Esquire Holland, where he took the oath 
of allegiance. We had no form of that oath before us, but the 
'squire fixed up one strong enough, and he was about to admin- 
ister it when a venerable old Shaker said : 



SWEAR HIM NOT TO BOB BEEHIVES. 187 

"Friend James, thee had better swear him not to break open 
any more beehives ;" and he insisted on a clause to that effect 
being inserted. The oath, however, was strong enough, when 
we were through with it. 

I now started out in search of my regiment, which, by this 
time, had nearly reached Nashville. Going by way of Russell- 
ville, I got a comrade, who had been wounded when we charged 
the town. He was an Italian, named Garanchini. I had left 
him in care of parties at llussellville, and now that he was able 
to travel, I took him with me, proceeding by way of Springfield. 
We had no trouble in getting through the country, although we 
were the first Federals who had appeared in that section of the 

State. 

We found the regiment at Camp Jackson, seven miles south 
of Nashville, which point we made a base for a great number 
of scouting adventures, in every section of the country, as we 
lay there for a considerable length of time. 

I was very proud to learn that the 4th Ohio Cavalry had cap- 
tured the city of Nashville, and that members of that regiment 
should be the first Federal soldiers to tread the streets of this 
stronghold of secession. Had "King" Harris known, at the 
time I applied to him for a pass, in company with my father, 
that I would become a member of the regiment which demanded 
and received the surrender of his capitol, it is altogether proba- 
ble that the petty monarch would have held me to a more strict 
accountability. As there was a misunderstanding soon after as 
to what troops captured the city, and not wishing to see my 
comrades robbed of their hard-earned glory, I beg leave to pre- 
sent the following, which is to the point, and, I think, will ex- 
hibit the affair in its proper light to every impartial reader : 

COPY OF H. C. RODGERS' LETTER TO J. KENNETT. 

Colonel Jno. Kennett: _ 

jy^ar S/r, — According to my recollection, the Second Division com- 
manded by Brig. Gen. Mitchell, advanced upon Nashville from Bowling 
Green, in the latter part of the month of February, 1862. 

On this march, the advance was led by the 4th 0. V. C, Col. John Ken- 



188 THE CAPTURE OF NASHVILLE. 

nett commanding. On, or about the 2Jth, the regiment marched to, and oc- 
cupied, Edgefield Junction, some eight or ten miles from Nashville. From 
this place, Col. Kennett immediately ordered forward a detachment of the 
4th O. V. C, under my command, with instructions to occupy the village 
of Edgefield, opposite the city of Xashville, to take possession of all steam- 
boats, or other native craft lying there, and to hold the position. These 
orders ■were fully executed — the detachment finding no enemy in Edge- 
field — a few straggling cavalry in Nashville — my command occupied Edge- 
field, two days before the command of Gen. Nelson arrived ; during which 
time the Mayor of Nashville twice came over to Edgefield, for the purpose 
of surrendering the city: on his second visit, the city was surrendered. 
The mayor, Cheatham, tendering, and Col. Kennett receiving, the surren- 
der. This took place at the residence of Mr. Fuller, in Edgefield. Mr. 
Fuller, myself and some others, whom I do not remember, were present. 
This occurrence took place the day befm-e Gen Nelson's command arrived. 

The battery of Capt. Loomis, at the time of this surrender, occupied a 
position commanding, and within pistol shot of, the heart of the city. The 
4th 0. V. C. could have occupied the city of Nashville at any time after 
the occupation of Edgefield, had their instructions permitted it; in fact, a 
small squall did cross over to the city and back again, on the ferryboat we 
had captured. 

I\Iayor Cheatham was anxious to surrender the city, through fear we 
might shell it, and, in surrendering, he agreed to protect the public prop- 
erty until it was delivered to the United States' ofiicers. 

Capt. Loomis' battery was under the direction, at this time, of Col. Ken 
nett. 

Generals Buell and INIitchell both, certainly, must have known of the 
surrender of Nashville before the arrival of Gen. Nelson. 

I, myself, brought to them the news of Nelson's arrival, two days after 
Edgefield was occupied by us. Yours, truly, 

[Signed.] II. C. Rodgers, 

Major 4th O. V. C. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



AFTER JOHN MORGAN. 



The celebrated John H. Morgan was then in our front, doing 
his best to achieve notoriety, -which he afterward succeeded in 
doing. To keep him in his place caused us much inconvenience: 
indeed, he was troublesome, and Gen. Mitchell resolved to drive 
him out of the country, if he could not catch or kill him. Bat 
before being successful, it became necessar^i to know exactly 
where to find him, and just how many men he had. The Gen 
eral told me -^vhat he wanted, and asked me if I would go down 
the country and hunt him up, and I replied that I would. He 
then gave orders that I should be fitted out to my own notion, and 
Captain Prentice, the Assistant Adjutant General, furnished me 
with a citizen's dress, and the General gave me his own saddle 
pony to ride, as it was the only unbranded horse in the camp. 

Thus equipped, I put out from our lines in the night, and took 
the road to Murfreesboro. I had a lonely ride till morning, 
when I stopped at a house on Stewart's creek, to get breakfast ; 
and there I fell in with a man who stated that he was g:omz to 
Murfreesboro, and proposed to ride with me ; and, of course, I 
was glad of his company. From the familiar way he spoke of 
Hardee, and other southern officers, I felt satisfied he was a 
rebel scout, and had just been to Nashville. He was a large, 
well-built man, with homely features, but expressive of a good 
deal of cunning. He was very bitter against the Yankees, in 
his conversation, and could tell me more meanness they had 
done, than I ever before thought they could devise. All this I 
stored away, as " stock in trade," to be reproduced to the John- 
nies themselves, when occasion should require me to abuse my 
friends. 

We crossed Stewart's and Overall's creeks, when we met with 



190 CONFAB AVITH PICKETS. 

the first rebel pickets, standing in a field some distance away. 
As vfe approached they stepped up to know our business, Avhere 
we were from, where we were going, etc. My companion was 
in a hurry to proceed, but I desired to converse with the pickets 
to get whatever information I could from them. They were as 
loquacious as I was, and had much to say about a fight they had 
been in a few days before, with the 4th Ohio cavalry, magnifying 
their own exploits hugely. They represented the 4th Ohio as 
little better than arrant cowards, which worried me a good deal, 
but I must keep up my disguise. Little did they imagine that 
they were then speaking with a member of that very regiment ; 
and less did they suspect that my fingers were aching to shoot 
them. If the General had not given me such very strict orders, 
I believe I should have stopped right there and given them a 
fight. But a severer trial than that, even, was in store. One of 
the reprobates walked up to me, and with a flourish and an oath, 
handed me a pistol, saying it had been taken from the 4th Ohio 
cavalry the day before, and that Captain Morgan had come in, 
at the same time, with eight buckled around him. I examined 
the weapon, and although it looked very familiar, I handed it 
back, and told him I had never seen one like it before. 

Next my curiosity was excited by their guns ; I represented that 
I had never seen any like them, and innocently wondered if the 
Yankees had any of the same pattern. 

"No," said the man, "these are English guns;" and there, 
sure enough, on the lock was the crown and the words " Tower, 
London," stamped on the metal. There were but three men at 
the post, and when the fellow gave me his pistol, their guns were 
in a corner of the fence and they at some distance from them, so 
that I could have shot all three before they could have helped 
themselves. 

No passes were required from men going south, but no one 
could travel north, without a pass from Hardee. On arriving at 
^lurfreesboro, I found it was guarded by Morgan's battallion of 
cavalry, and three companies of Texas rangers. Now, I had not 
the least idea of staying at the place, but had intended to ride 



MEETING JOHN MORGAN. 191 

tlirougli ; and was proceeding along steadily, but carelessly, on 
the lower side of the public square, when I was hailed by a former 
acquaintance on the side-walk. He was an old friend, and had 
served with me in Johnston's regiment, in Texas. I had intended 
to pass under the name of George Adams, but up to this time 
had never been questioned as to who I was ; and it was very for- 
tunate, as otherwise I should have been detected on the spo-t. 

While talking with this man, a crowd soon assembled around 
me, to inquire the news from Kentucky, and wanting to know 
how I had possibly managed to get through the Yankee lines, and 
a hundred other such questions. I told them I had crossed the 
Tennessee sixteen miles below Nashville, at the mouth of Pond 
creek, and hence did not come through the lines at all, but flanked 
them, coming down Richland creek, and crossing the Charlotte 
pike at Davidson's. I had been at home on a visit, I said, and 
was going back to Texas. When asked where I lived, I told them 
in Bourbon county, Kentucky; and when further questioned as 
to my motive for returning to Texas, I told them I had been 
making that State my home for years; and there was my Texan 
friend by whom to prove it. 

As soon as I could do so, I turned to the ranger and asked 
him so many questions, that he had no time to interrogate me. 
While I was standing in the crowd, asking and answering ques- 
tions by turn, a very fine looking man dressed in a plain black 
suit of clothes, walked leisurely up, and stood listening to the 
conversation. He at length addressed me in a mild but deep and 
manly voice, and inquired if I was from near Lexington. I told 
him that I was, and he asked the news from that locality, and I 
was giving him the " local items" in detail, when an oiEcer step- 
ped up to him and addressing him as Captain Morgan, called him 
away on business. 

Well, for a little while the top of my head got cold, and the 
blood all rushed to my heart ; but I do not think my emotions 
were betrayed in my face, for, in an instant, the danger of my 
position occurred to me in full force, and I resumed my devil- 
may-care manner, but surveyed him closely as he walked off. 



192 IN CLOSE QUARTERS. 

He was a man about five feet ten or eleven inches in hight, fair 
complexion, rather red cheeks, round, manly features, Avith a 
light blue or gray eye, fiery red goattee of full dimensions, and 
a little coarse ; light-bro^Yn hair, slightly inclined to red, which 
was closely cut. His appearance was genteel, and his manners 
very prepossessing. He appeared to be a general favorite, as 
all eyes appeared to follow him, as he walked along with his fel- 
low officers; and, perhaps, this Avas the reason that my very 
close investigation of him passed unnoticed by the men around 
me. I could not help feeling a little proud that I would now be 
able to report to Gen. Mitchell that I had seen the very man he 
had sent me out to find. 

After Morgan had left, my Texas friend remarked that there 
were a great many Lexington boys in Morgan's battalion, I 
then asked him if there were any in town. 

" Well, no," he said ; then turning to a man at his side he 
asked : 

" Is Jim B in town ? " 

"No,'" was the reply, to my great relief ; " he is out on picket ; 
we are looking for him in every minute." 

This Jim, B was born at Leesburg, the place of my nativity, 

and could have identified me as an Ohio man. "Without, how- 
ever, appearing to be disconcerted, I expressed my regret that 
I was not able to wait and see him. Then turning the conver- 
sation, by asking if there were any Bourbon " boys " in the com- 
mand, I pretty soon found it convenient to excuse myself with- 
out cultivating any further acquaintance. My companion was 
now ready to go, and coming up, mounted his horse and we rode 
for Shelbyville. 

About five miles from town, I became sick — very sick ; grow- 
ing worse so rapidly that I was compelled to stop at a house. 
I Avas well aware that my companion was extremely anxious to 
reach Shelbyville that night ; and, as for myself, I did n't v>-ant 
to get there at all. Stating my demoralized physical condition 
to him, I told him I was sorry we must part, but I must stop ; 
so pulling up to a house by the roadside, I bade him "good-bye." 



REBEL DISPATCHES TO BUELL. 193 

The " man of the house," whose name was Bidford, invited 
me in, and put up my horse. I had now cleared myself of my 
companion, and, therefore, recovered very rapidly. It was about 
five o'clock in the evening when I stopped, and shortly after, 
supper was ready, and I did it ample justice ; and then, as soon 
as it was dark, I retired to bed. A great number of rebels were 
traveling along the road, and several of them stopped at Bid- 
ford's house for water and to have their horses fed. During 
the night I was there, an officer, with considerable of an escort, 
came in, and as there was but a thin partition separating the 
rooms occupied by us, I could hear every word he said. His 
name was Wood, and he was lieutenant colonel of the 1st Louisi- 
ana cavalry, and was on his way to Murfreesboro with orders 
for Captain Morgan, and to Nashville Avith dispatches to Gen. 
Buell. He talked a great deal, and seemed to be on very inti- 
mate terms with my landlord. 

Next morning I left early, taking the road to Shelbyville 
till I got out of sight of the house, when I took the first road 
that turned oiF, and started on my return to our own camp. At 
one point on the Las Casas road, I saw a detachment of Mor- 
gan's men coming down the road toward me. To be caught 
trying to go north would cause my arrest, if no other reason 
existed for it ; so I turned into a lane, and quickened my gait. 
They pursued, and it was a tight race for about a mile, when I 
dodged them in a dense coder brake ; but I was driven a long 
way from my course. After wandering about for a good while, 
I rode up to a house, and was asking the woman about the way 
to Las Casas, when I heard a horse coming at a swift trot be- 
hind me, and turning in my saddle, lo ! there was one of Mor- 
gan's men coming toward me, entirely without suspicion. 

Turning to him, I remarked that I was glad to see him ; that 
I Avanted directions how to go to Brown's mill. I knew the way 
beyond that well enough, and had no necessity for inquiry far- 
ther. When he asked me where I was going, after exacting se- 
cresy from him, which he readily promised, I told him that I was 
a Texas Ranger ; that I had put on a citizen's suit to favor my 



194 YANKEEING MORGAN's MEN. 

plan ; that I wanted to get into the country, as near to the Yan- 
kee lines as possible, in order to ascertain Avhat had become of a 
very dear friend of mine, who had been missing since the day 
of our last fight with the 4th Ohio cavalry. 

" I want to find out," said I, " what has become of him, so 
that I can send word to his people, and advise them of his fate." 

" Who is your friend ?" he inquired. 

" Well," I said, " his name is Corniel Warfield ; he is an old 
friend of mine, and I will risk my life to find out what has be- 
come of him." 

"Corniel Warfield," he repeated slowly, and with surprise ; he 
belongs to my company. " Certainly I will do all I can to assist 
you, sir ; he is a special friend of mine ; I will go with you a 
mile or so, and put you in the right road to the mill ; but you 
must not let the Yankees catch you." 

"No, indeed," I said, "I will be sharp enough for that." 

The fellow actually went a mile and a half with me, and put 
me on the road I sought, when he parted with me, wishing me 
every success. Thanking him, I "shook my pony up" with the 
spurs, and was soon out of sight, on the direct route to Nash- 
ville. 

I had nursed this same Warfield, in our regimental hospital, 
the night after the fight ; and knew very well where he was at 
the time. 

I had only one more ugly place to pass, and that was La 
Vergne. I had heard a ranger say, in Murfreesburro, that a 
party of them would be in La Vergne, that night, so that I knew 
I must be on my guard, when I approached the town. I rode 
at the side of the turnpike, on soft ground, and as it was after 
night, I passed unnoticed, until my horse's feet struck the plank 
which formed the crossing at the railroad, when almost instantly 
I heard the sound of some horses running down from a grove 
some distance to the left of the road. I "shook" pony again 
with the spurs, and away Ave went. Looking back, now, I saw 
the rebels wheel into the road after me. I waited to see no 
more, but struck out for our picket post, as hard as my horse 



m CAMP AGAIN. 195 

could gallop. The Johnnies did not follow me more than two 
miles before they began to be afraid of running on our pickets ; 
and I, too, had my fears ; there was danger that our own men 
would fire on me unless I checked up in time ; but luckily, I 
was recognized when I came in sight, and the boys of course did 
not shoot. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

RECONNOITERING MIDDLE TENNESSEE — SCOUTING AS CAPTAIN BON- 
HAM OF THE FIRST LOUISIANA CAVALRY. 

I WAS soon at the General's quarters, and waked him out of 
a sound nap — the only time I ever found him asleep, though I 
have visited his quarters at all hours of the day and night. Ho 
was pleased with Avhat I had done, and sent me away for a little 
rest and sleep, previous to starting out again. 

In a few hours we started out with a detachment of cavalry 
and some infantry, among which was the 10th Ohio, mounted 
in wagons ; and I have no doubt but we should have caught John 
right there, and thus addled the embryo general in the shell, 
but, as luck would have it, we met Colonel Wood, Avith the dis- 
patches from Hardee to Buell, with Morgan, and about thirty 
picked men, as an escort. We halted, and then returned and 
delivered the dispatches to General Mitchell, who was not at all 
gratified at our meeting, as the Johnnies would know at once 
that we were meditating an attack on them. 

While Colonel Wood and the General were talking, one of 
Morgan's men broke from the rear and started back to Mur- 
freesburro, at his best speed; but anticipating something of that 
kind, Cononel Kennett had quietly sent a few men down the 
road, in the rear of the rebels, one of whom caught the Johnnie 
and brought him back to our camp. Morgan and Wood were 
astounded at the man's conduct ; and General Mitchell was in a 
rage at the man's treachery, and held the officers responsible for 
it. lie now had an excellent opportunity to keep the whole 
party as prisoners of war, and he submitted the subject to Gen- 
eral Luell, who overruled him, and Morgan was allowed to re- 
turn to his command, and he "skedaddled" without delay, and 
subsequently caused us much anxiety of mind, and many hard 
marches. 



CHALLENGING THE REBELS. 199 

Soon after this, Captain Robie was sent with Companv iV 
of the 4th Ohio Cavahy, to McMinnville, on a scout, and I 
was one of the party. The remainder of the regiment went to 
Tullahoma, and other parts, and we were to concentrate at that 
place. At McMinnville, we heard of some commands of rebels 
in our immediate vicinity, any one of which Avas superior to us 
in number. I had not started from camp Avith the Captain, but 
coming in with a small body of scouts, Avho had been detailed by 
Colonel Kennett, to serve with me, I was told to push on and 
overtake him as speedily as possible. He had passed through 
McMinnville several hours before I got there ; and while I was 
ascertaining which road he had taken, I was warned of the near 
approach of a party of rebels,' by several persons — some of doubt- 
ful loyalty. I replied that we were fighting men and that we 
would be glad to meet Captain Bledsoe and Captain McHenry, 
and their commands, and give them battle. "We shall be camped 
on this road a short distance out," said I, "and you will confer 
a favor on us, to send these men word to that effect." 

Q'his they promised to do, telling me that Bledsoe had three 
hundred men, McHenry two hundred, and another man, whom 
they named, one hundred ; and that the farthest command avray 
was but five miles. Chargins; them agjain to be sure and send 
the rebels out, we took the road to Manchester, and, after dark, 
overtook the company in camp, Avhen I told the captain about 
the rebels and the challenge I had sent them, and he approved 
it, and immediately put his camp in order for defense. 

I was sent a quarter of a mile to the rear, with my party, to bar- 
ricade the road, and hold it till the enemy made a demonstration. 
During the latter part of the night they approached us cautiously 
from the rear, but did not attack us, nor sho-w themselves in 
any formidable numbers, but moved around and got on the Man- 
chester road ahead of us, and charged down on the camp. But 
the captain had so disposed his men that they gave the assailants 
two sweeping volleys in their flanks as they approached ; and per- 
fectly astounded, they broke and fled, pell mell, back in the way 
they came. One of their men, a lieutenant, tumbled headlong 
12 



200 REBELS WHIPPED 

into our camp. We afterward ascertained that the rebel loss vras 
eight killed and thirteen wounded ; but this only came to our 
knowledge some time afterward. Captain Robie only reported 
one of them being left dead on the field, and his own loss 
nothing. We were unmolested after that, and reached Tullaho- 
nia in time to join the regiment. 

The Colonel had been at Manchester, and destroyed the povr- 
der mill there, and had driven a number of little squads of the 
enemy out of the country; and having consolidated his com- 
mand, we moved in the direction of jNIurfreesboro, where our 
army then Avas, going by the w^ay of Shelbyrille. 

Murfreesboro was taken by a detachment of the 4th Ohio 
Cavalry under Lieut. Col. Henry Burdsal. 

While the 3d division lay at Murfreesboro, Gen. Mitchel sent 
me out on a long scout to inspect all the roads leading to Shel- 
byville, and all the bridges over the river within five miles of the 
town, either above or below it. The reader will at once under- 
stand that this was a very long and dangerous task, as the roads 
were all picketed by the Texas Rangers and Morgan's battalion, 
and small squads of them were scouring the country, day and 
night, in every direction. To the right of the turnpike a couple 
of miles is a small town, called Middleton, the same place where 
Gen. J). S. Stanley gave the rebel cavalry such a trouncing. 
Near this little town I met a squad of rebel cavalry under the 
command of a lieutenant. I had just turned into the road, and 
did not see them until retreat was out of the question ; for I was 
within half-pistol shot of thera. For a moment I felt very bad, 
but the next instant resolved to "/^ce" on them, and ^^ bluff" 
through. Throwing up my cap, I gave a loud hurrah, as if I 
was immensely pleased over something that had just transpired. 
My first exclamation was, " Well, boys, I am glad to see you ; 
how do you all get along, and what is tlic news from the army?" 

" We are all well, I believe," said the lieutenant, eyeing mc 
closely; " what command do you belong to, sir.^" 

"0, 1 belong to the 1st Louisiana Cavalry," said I; " my name 
is Bonham, and I am captain of Company I of that regiment." 



PLAYING AS A REBEL CAPTAIN. 201 

"Ah! ha I*' he said, dubiously scrutinizing my splendid uni- 
form, which really had belonged to Captain Bonham, and who 
had died while a prisoner in our hands ; " then. Captain, allow 
me to ask what you are doing so close to the Yankee pickets, 
and alone f 

"0," I exclaimed, " I have had such a remarkable adventure, 
and if you are not in a hurry, I will give you the particulars-." 

"Certainly, sir, we should be pleased to hear it," said the 
Lieutenant, still surveying me intently; "but first tell me how 
far it is to the Yankee pickets, if you know, for so small a party 
of us may be in danger here." 

" 0, no," said I, " not in the least ; for I have just come out 
through them, and the picket line is away beyond (north) of Old 
Fosterville, as much as three miles." 

" Good on your head," said the Lieutenant; "but, Captain, 
•what in the world were you doing in the Yankee lines ?" 

"Why, you see," I went on, "I was out here in this 
neighborhood some time ago, Avith part of my regiment, on a 
scout. We went into camp at night, not far from New 
Fosterville, in a secluded place in the big cedar brake, north of 
town ; after seeing the command all properly disposed for the 
night, I with two other officers, in company with Lieutenant Col, 
Wood of our regiment, who is, as perhaps you are aware, one 
of our most reliable scouts, went out on a reconnoisance toward 
the Yankee pickets. Wood, you knoAv, is a perfect dare-devil, 
and what do you think he proposes to do? Why, sir, to go to 
a house in plain view of the Yankee pickets, and call for a 
supper for the whole party. Tickled at this novel proposition, 
in the excitement of the moment, we forgot the dictates of 
prudence, and consented to go. We had been there for perhaps 
an hour or more, and the lady of the house had laid a bountiful 
supper on the table, and we were just in the act of sitting down 
to eat it, when a little darkey came rushing into the room, in a 
terrible fright, saying, " Oh masters, oh Miss Louise, de Yankee 
sogers hab dun cum, dey out dar in de road now, an dey all got 
hosses. Oh nm geramen, or dey done cotch you in a minute." 



202 A VERY HUGE LIE. 

Wood and mj companions rushed out and broke over a fence in 
the back yard, and into the cedar brake, and made good 
their escape, followed, of course, by a rapid fire from 
the Yankees. I knew very well that I could never bo 
so fortunate on my wounded leg, for, you see, gentlemen, I 
was Avounded in a skirmish in Kentucky last winter, and my 
right leg is very weak, (at the same time raising my foot from 
the stirrup, I showed an ugly scar on my shin, caused by being 
kicked by a horse years before), and realizing my inability to 
keep up with my more fortunate companions, I deemed it best 
to surrender without resistance, for I was afraid the infuriated 
wretches might kill me after I gave in, if not before. On pass- 
ing my sword over to the officer in charge, who was a first Lieu- 
tenant, judge my surprise to recognize in him an old 
acquaintance and friend who used to clerk in the same store 
where I was employed in New Orleans. His name was Dobbs, 
(he was first Lieutenant of my own company) ; and he was glad 
to see me, and said that he was extremely sorry that I was a 
prisoner, but promised to use his influence to make my imprison- 
ment as light as possible on me. He saw that the men treated 
me with respect, and as soon as he got to camp he went in per- 
son to intercede for me with Gen. Mitchell, wdio kindly paroled 
rae and gave me the liberty of the cavalry camp ; Lieut. Dobbs 
promising to become responsible for my safe keeping. The 
Lieutenant did everything in his power to make me comfortable, 
and took me in his own mess, to eat at his table free of expense. 
Of course I appreciated the kindness of so generous a foe, but 
still was anxious to recover my liberty. Seeing that it was 
manifestly to my advantage to cultivate amicable relations with 
my captors, I sought by every means in my power to ingratiate 
myself into their favor ; and so completely did I win their con- 
fidence that this morning the Lieutenant proposed that I should 
accompany him on a short ride beyond the pickets. Of course 
I gladly accepted the kind invitation, and, the Lieutenant 
borrowing a horse for me from one of his men, we mounted, 
when he said that he was going out to a farm house to procure 



REBELS SWALLOW THE STORY. 203 

butter, eggs and milk for his table. After we bad got nearly a 
mile from the pickets the Lieutenant dismounted, to arrange his 
clothing and adjust a " Yankee button," (made by poking a stick 
through the cloth) to his suspenders. We were standing beside 
a tree when the Lieutenant took off his belt, and laid his pistols 
on the ground beside him ; then turning his back to me, began 
working at his button. There was a chance that promised suc- 
cess. Springing forward I seized the belt, and drawing a pistol 
from it sprang upon the Lieutenant's horse, and galloped away, 
leavino- him overwhelmed with astonishment at his own foolish 
carelessness. Perhaps it was wrong in me thus to betray the 
confidence of so generous a man, but Lieutenant, no man knows 
how sweet it is to be free, until he has once been a prisoner." 

During the delivery of this story, the whole command ^had 
given me the utmost attention; and when I had concluded their 
admiration was almost unbounded. The Lieutenant cordially 
extended his hand and said : 

"Captain, allow me to congratulate you on your very fortu- 
nate escape," while his men expressed their feehngs in sundry 
remarks, which, although meaningless to a citizen, are very ex- 
pressive to a soldier. 

"Bully for him," said one. 

"Ah, he's a Tartar," said another. 

" He 's too old for the Yanks," remarked a third. 

Seeinf^ that now I had completely disarmed them of suspicion, 
I urged my anxiety to rejoin my regiment, and of hearing from 
home, and politely wished them a good day and a successful trip, 
and galloped away, followed by their congratulations. 

As soon as I was well out of their sight, toward Shelbyville, 
I turned off on a bye-road, and took my way_to the "Widow's 
brido-e." About two miles from this bridge, I stopped to get my 
6upp°er, at a house occupied by a widow named Cheatham, who 
was a relative of General Cheatham, and of Cheatham, the mayor 
of Nashville. She received me with generous hospitality, and 
soon provided a bountiful supper for me. Giving my horse time 
to rest after eating, for I had to ride all night, I sat and talked 



204 PLAYING OFF ON A WIDOW. 

to the lady after supper for some time. She had much to say 
about General Breckenridge, who had heen camped very near 
her house, a few days before, and who had paid her a visit. She 
was very much flattered at this, and told me that part of the 
General's command were camped near, and that there was a 
picket post at the far end of the bridge. When night set in, I 
called for my horse, and told the lady that I believed I would 
ride. It was in the latter part of March, and when I went out to 
my horse, the wind was blowing almost a gale, and snow was 
drifting in the air profusel3^ The widow went out through the 
storm to see me mounted at the gate. She expressed the liveli- 
est sympathy for me in having to ride through that dark, cold, 
stormy night ; and seeing that I had no gloves to draw on, she 
sent a negro into the house for a pair of yarn gloves, with in- 
structions where to find them, and to hurry back, for she was 
already getting cold. Presently the negro returned with the 
articles, and as I was drawing them on, I began to grumble at 
the cold. " Wait a minute," she said, and away she went to the 
house, and soon came running back with a very fine white wool 
blanket, which she folded like a shawl and threw around me, 
pinning it under my chin with her own hands. Bidding this 
hospitable lady good bye, I mounted and was soon prowling 
around the picket post at the bridge. I discovered that the 
structure was in good repair, and that it could be crossed with 
safety ; then turning up the river, I inspected, in turn, two 
others across the stream. While prowling about the second one, 
which was only a mile from town, I unexpectedly run into a 
company of rebels, who were returning to their camp. I was 
just riding out from the bridge, when the sound of horse's feet 
approaching attracted my attention. How to escape meeting 
them I could not tell; so posting myself by the side of the fence, 
under the shadow df a large tree, when they had approached 
within a short distance, I sung out "Halt," in a loud and resolute 
tone, and in the next breath demanded, "Who comes there?" 

" Friends,!'* was the prompt reply. 

" Dismount one and advance with the countersign." 



ACTING AS A REBEL PICKET. 205 

"We havn't got the countersign," said the commander, 

" What do you belong to," I asked. 

" Morgan's battalion," he replied. 

" Then break from the right," said I, "and pass us by file un- 
til we see Avhat ^^ou look like; and if you prove to be confede- 
rates, you may pass in without delay." 

Breaking by file, as ordered, they marched by me so close 
that I could have touched them with a ten foot pole. Keepino' 
myself under the shadow of the tree, I pretended to inspect them 
as they rode by. When a few files had passed, I sung out, " All 
right, captain, you can reform your men." 

" Form fours ; forward, march," he shouted, and I soon heard his 
men clattering over the bridge and cursing it as an old" basket" 
that was unsafe to cross, and must soon fall down. They had 
not gone more than a few steps before the officer ordered his 
men to dismount and lead over by file, swearing that he believed 
the bridge would break if they did not do so. Of course this 
was information to mo. I well knew that I must now ride for 
my life, for the trick would be discovered as soon as they 
reached the picket on the other side of the bridge. Turning up 
the road and keeping on soft ground, I followed until I came to 
a "timber" road, running through a cedar brake, where I 
turned oflF, and was soon safe from pursuit in the labyrinth of 
ways that ran in all directions through the woods. Keeping up 
the country, I passed above the town about five miles, and 
hiding my horse in another brake not far from a house, (for I 
heard a chicken crow,) I followed the direction of the sound, 
and finding the house, roused a darkey, and got some corn bread 
and bacon from him, and directions where to find corn for my 
horse. I returned to where my animal was hitched, fed him, and 
laid down to sleep. I stayed in that brake until the next night, 
and then commencing at the upper bridge, I hunted down the 
river toward Shelbyville again, and found two more bridges, 
besides the one at the town, in good repair. 

Riding cautiously as near the town as I could prudentlj-, I 
took a good survey of it, but did not add much to my store of 



20G RUNNING THE GAUNTLET, 

knowledge. Meeting an old darkey coming along the road, 1 
stopped liiui, and in a low tone asked several questions as to 
Avhat troops occupied the place, and if the bridge at town was 
in good repair. lie informed me that the place was occupied 
by Morgan's Battalion of Cavalry and part of Wharton's 
Hangers; that some of them Avere quartered in the town, but 
the larger part were camped on the south side of the river, and 
were picketing the bridge, which was in good condition. 

I had now- accomplished all that I had been sent to do. I had 
learned all about every bridge, and had explored every approach 
to Shelbyville from the north side of the river. Feeling glad 
that my dangerous duty was over, with a feeling of relief I 
turned m}' horse's head once more toward Murfreesboro', where 
in imagination I could see "old Starry," poring over his mnps 
by candle light, perhaps impatiently awaiting my arrival ; but 
I was, as railroad men say, " on time," so I did not give nn^self 
any uneasiness on that score. I had not ridden more than three 
hundred yards when I saw a couple of men step into the road 
only a few yards ahead of me, and then facing me they com- 
manded me to "halt." Knowing that death was my portion if 
captured in that disguise, I instantly spurred my animal for- 
ward at a charge, straight upon them. When within about two 
jumps of them, I fired on the right hand man, when he gave an 
exclamation of pain and let his gun fall, and the next jump my 
horse struck him full in the breast with his knees and knocked 
him high in the air, and as he fell to the ground cleared his 
body with a bound. The left hand man fired as I passed, and 
so close were we to each other that the powder from his gun 
stung my face like fine shot. Seeing more men in the cedars on 
the right, I threw myself down, Comanche fashion, with my head 
by my horse's breast, but not a second too soon, for they sent a 
dozen balls whistling after me. Driving the spurs into my 
horse, I urged him to his utmost for about three miles, w hen I 
then checked up, to see if I was pursued ; but I heard no moro 
of the rebels that night, and pursued my way unmolested to 
camp, where I arrived just as the General was eating his 



CAPTURE OF SIIELBYVILLE. 207 

breakfast. I do not know who it was that was firino- on me, 
unless I had blundered inside of the rebel pickets in the dark. 
The General was very glad that I escaped so well, and praised 
me to all the officers for venturing so far. But I soon had 
additional cause to feel proud, for my party of scouts were the 
first Yankees into Shelbyville, where we captured a bank and put 
it under charge of a guard until relieved by the authorities. This 
^Yas the only institution in Tennessee which could redeem its 
notes; and I afterward learned that it did redeem its entire 
circulation in United States currency. 

The rebels soon got over their scare and began to trouble us 
again. I scouted the country a good while as Captain Bonham, 
of the 1st Louisiana Cavalry, but I accomplished nothing more 
worthy of narration, except that I had a few single-handed com- 
bats with members of Morgan's command. 



C H A P T E R X V 1 1 1. 



TRIP TO DECATUR — LIVELY ADVENTURES. 



On the 8th of April I was sent by General Mitcheiydown to 
Decatur, to get information as to the state of the country, and 
to destroy the railroad bridge at that point, if possible. I set 
out for Shelbyville, mounted on old Punch, my pet horse, prop- 
erly armed and fully equiped with turpentine and matches, to do 
the required work. " Old Starr}^," (our pet name for General 
Mitchell), "blowed me up" that morning for being slow, which 
was the only time he was ever out of humor Avith me. lie had 
given me a fine horse the day before, and I told him I was trying 
him to see if he was suitable for the trip ; and that he was not 
to be trusted, and I would, consequently, have to ride old Punch. 

This horse, for his services, deserves especial mention, and I 
will, therefore, describe him. He was a Spanish brown, fifteen 
hands high, Avith black legs, mane and tail. He was no fancy 
horse, but heavy and substantial, with a good honest trot, a fast 
walk and never failing wind. I had drawn him at Camp Gurley, 
and trained him to suit my purpose. 

Near to the town of Fayetteville, in Lincoln county, Kentucky, 
night overtook me, and I left the road a short distance and slept 
\a^ in the woods. This was on Saturday night, and on Sunday 
morning I rode into town. The citizens were astonished to see 
a single man dressed in full Yankee costume — blue jacket, blue 
blouse and blue pants — and armed with the well known Yankee 
accoutrements, venture among them. They gathered about me 
in a great crowd, and seemed to regard it as the freak of a mad- 
man; but on approaching me at the hotel, they found me entirely 
rational, cool, and of decent deportment, and they at once changed 
their minds, and took me for one of their own men in disguise. 
Seeing that it was my best plan to encourage this belief, I ordered 



SURRENDER THIS TOWN, SIR. 209 

my breakfast, went to the stable to see my horse fed, and then 
returned to my room at the hoteh There were about three 
hundred men gathered on the sidewalk to ascertain Avhat the 
strange arrival meant, and to hear the news ; and they wore 
watching me with eager interest. I felt that I was play in 'i- a 
delicate game, with my neck in a halter. If they had only 
known my true character, they would but too gladly have han"-ed 
me to the nearest tree. They asked me my name, which I told 
them; next my regiment, and Avith a swaggering air, I said: 

"The 4th Ohio Cavalry." 

" What is your Colonel's name ?" said one. 

"Colonel John Kennett," I answered, slowly, and with a du- 
bious look. 

"What is 3'our Captain's name ?" inquired another. 

" Captain 0. P. Robie," I told him. 

" Where is your command ?" asked one who appeared to be a 
man of consequence. 

"At Shelby ville." 

"Well," he continued, "if your command is there, what are 
you doing here by yourself?" 

"Why, sir," I responded, "if you want to know, I came to 
demand the surrender of this town." 

"AYell, well," said the man; "that is too good. One man to 
take a town like this," and they enjoyed the joke hugely. 

They now began to look exceedingly wise ; and I heard the 
whisper pass from mouth to mouth, that I was one of Morgan's 
men. This declaration I heard again and again, as I passed 
through the crowd. Soon after, a gentleman stepped up to me 
and requested to examine my gun, which I handed to him after 
removing the cap ; but I at the same time drew out my pistol, 
cocked it, and held it in my hand till my piece was returned to 
me. After a brief survey of the gun, it was delivered over to me 
with trembling hand, when I restored the cap and put up my pistol. 

At this moment I was called to breakfast, and walked into the 
dining room and sat down to the table, keeping an eye on every- 
thing at once. I seated myself beside a man of good appearance, 



210 -A DEMAND FOR A YANKEE TRICK. 

•who had on a handsome uniform and the three stars of a rebel 
Colonel. Slinging my carbine across my knees, with the ham- 
mer up, ready for instant use, I loosed my pistols, in the scab- 
bard on one side, and a vicious bowie knife on the other, after 
which I began to appease my appetite on the good things before 
me, -watching the Colonel closely. He looked at me three differ- 
ent times, and then rising abruptly from the table, darted out 
into the crovvd, and I saw no more of him. A few minutes after, 
I heard the people on the sidewalk raise a loud laugh at the ex- 
pense of some one. 

After eating a meal — the first since I had left camp — I went 
out into the crowd again, and called for the mayor, saying I 
wanted him to surrender the town. Again the bystanders raised 
a laugh, and called for some one to go for the mayor, as he was 
not present. They then began to joke me about our gun-boats, 
saying the Yankees would never fight unless backed by them. 
I told them that General Mitchell had dry land gun-boats, with 
steel soles and spring runners, and that he had used them with 
great efi'ect at Bowling Green. One of the men said: 

"If you're a Yankee, show us a Yankee trick, and we will 
believe you." 

"Gentlemen," said I, "I will do my best to show you one, be- 
fore I leave this neck of timber." 

" Where are you going ?" said one. 

" Down the country," I replied. 

"Look here, now," one of the fellows pursued, "you may as 
well own up and tell us where the captain is." 

" What captain ?" I asked. 

" Why, Captain Morgan, to be sure." 

" Gentlemen," said I, slowly, ' you have waked up the wrong 
passenger. I belong to the 4th Ohio Cavalry ;" and again the 
laugh rung out at my preposterous assertion. 

In obedience to directions, my horse was brought out, and it 
was a favorable time to leave, as they were all in a good humor, 
and I consequently mounted and took the road to Huntsville aft 
a gallop. Just as I passed the crowd one fellow sung out : 



BURNING A WAGON TRAIN. 211 

" Hold on there, you haven't shown us that Yankee trick 
yet." 

" There's plenty of time," said I, turning in my saddle to 
watch their movements, " before I leave this section of the 
country." 

About five miles from Fayetteville, is a very noted highland 
called Well's Hill, and on the top of it there is a fork in the 
road, the left going directly south to Huntsville, and the right 
to Athens and Decatur. On reaching this road I -was in the act 
of turning into it, when I looked across on still another road, 
called the Meredian road, and discovered a train of Avagons slow- 
ly coming up the hill. I watched it, till I saw there was no 
guard near, and then riding around till I met the first wagon, I 
caused it to be drawn close along against the fence, and there 
stopped ; then the next two to be drawn close along side, thus 
making an effectual barricade against any force which was 
approaching from that direction. Next I seized the wagon 
master, who was some distance in the rear of the train, and 
shoved him and the drivers up into the fence corner, making one 
of them turn the mules loose from the wagons. The loads were 
covered with corn blades, and other forage, so one could not see 
them, but the drivers told me that the wagons were loaded 
with bacon. 

After arranging things to my satisfaction, I produced a bunch 
of matches, and fired the fodder, on the top of each of the 
wagons, which were of the old fashioned curved bodies, Con- 
nestoga pattern, each of which had on it four thousand pounds 
of bacon. 

The guns of the party all happened to be in the wagons, and 
none of them had any side arms, except the wagon master, who 
had something under his coat, that looked like a pistol ; and as 
he wore a belt, it is very probable he had one ; and some of the 
citizens, I know had, for I saw three or four of them ; but I was 
ready to shoot before they could recover from their surprise, so 
that it w'ould have been foolhardy for them to resist, as I 
would certainly have killed the first man who made a motion to 



212 THAT YANKEE TRICK PLAYED. 

draw a weapon. I made no attempt to take their side arms, as 
I did not want to lose my advantage over them for an instant. 
There were three good guns burned up in the wagons, one a double 
barreled shot gun, and two old muskets. 

When the flames shot up, several citizens came to the scene 
of action, but I thrust them into the fence corner, along with the 
wa^on master and teamsters. As soon as the wacrons were so 
far destroyed, that they began to fall down, and I saw that it 
would be impossible to save anything of the wreck, I made the 
drivers mount the mules, and the wagon master his horse, and 
taking them on the road to Fayetteville, I told them that I was 
going to count one hundred ; and that if, by that time, they were 
not out of sight, I would shoot the last one of them within 
range. I then began to count; " one" "two" "three," etc., very 
deliberately, while they put spurs to their steeds, and in a. brief 
time they were beyond my ken, over the hills, toward Fayette- 
ville, to give the inhabitants an account of my Yankee trick. 

Wheeling my horse, I put out once more for Decatur, but at 
the same tim.e inquiring the way to Athens, as if I intended to 
go there. xVs I passed the burning wagons again, I told the 
citizens standing around, that if they did not leave instanter, I 
would shoot the last one of them, and they scattered like black- 
birds. 

About ten miles farther down the road, I heard the deep, 
sonorous tones of a preacher, belaboring a sinful congregation. 
He was evidently a devout believer in a terrible and endless 
punishment for the wicked, for he was holding out to his 
audience the fearful picture of a lost sinner in hell, making a 
comparison between his condition, and that pf Dives, who, he 
asserted, was once in a similar state of sinfulness, while on 
earth, and who eventually brought up in hell, and from whence he 
expressed a strong desire to visit Abraham in his new abode ; 
addins: that the wishes of the unfortunate Dives could not be com- 
plied with for some geogrnphical cause — something in the topo- 
graphy of the country — a gulf in the way, I believe. Over this sub- 
ject he grew eloquent, and had probably got about to his "thirdly," 



RIDIXG INTO A CHURCH. 213 

imd the congregation were almost breathless with attention, when 
it occurred to me that there might be soldiers in the church, and I 
had better look after them; otherwise they might give me some 
trouble. Riding up to the door, I made my horse enter about 
half way, so that I could see every man in the house. As his 
feet struck the floor of the church, with a loud banging sound, 
the people were astonished to see a soldier under arms, riding 
boldly in among them. Turning to the preacher, I inquired if 
there were anv southern soldiers in the house. The clersyman 
was standing with his hand raised, as he was about to enforce 
some point he had made, being the very picture of earnest 
honesty, looking as if he believed every word that he had said. 
When he saw me, his hand dropped, and he seemed as badly 
frightened, as if the identical devil he had so vividly described 
had appeared before him. He was almost overpowered with 
fright, and supporting himself by the rough pulpit, he glanced at 
the back door, and then faltered out: "Not now, I believe, 
sir." I saw that there had been rebel soldiers there, and that 
they had escaped in the direction of his glance ; I instantly 
pulled my horse back, and spurred to the corner of the log 
church, just in time to see four men disappear in the brush 
across a field which lay back of the building. They were too 
far off for me to shoot at, and not desiring to disturb the 
worship further than the strictest military necessity demanded, 
I rode on, after desiring the clergyman to pray for the President 
of the' United States. The rebel papers had an account of the 
affair, but they lied when they stated that I tried to make the 
preacher take a drink of whisky ; for I hadn't a drop to bless 
myself with. 

Pretty soon I met two soldiers riding leisurely along to 
church. I halted them, demanded their names, regiments, and 
companies, and informed them that they were prisoners of war; 
that I was a federal soldier, but that there was no Avay for me to 
dispose of them so far from our lines except one; I was sorry 
it was so — but I must shoot them. They begged that I would 
spare their lives, and pledged their honor that they would go 



214 SWEARING REBELS. 

Avitli mc in good faith, if I would not kill tliem. I pretended to 
be in a deep study for a few moments, and then told them if thej 
would take the oath of allegiance to the United States, I would 
let them go; and to this they agreed eagerly. 

Holding up my right hand, and removing my cap, they imi- 
tated my example, uncovered their heads, raised their hands, and 
vrith a solemn look, that would well bec-ome a court-room, waited 
for me to administer " the oath." I had joked them far enough, 
however, and not wishing to be guilty of blasphemy by admin- 
istering an obligation I had no authority to require of them, I 
told them that I would rely upon their honor, but they must do 
nothing toAvard pursuing me, or giving information concerning 
my whereabouts; and I then told them to "go in peace." 

The next man I met was an old citizen, riding a very spirited 
horse, and dressed in a suit of butternut-colored homespun. 
Tall, thin featured, and gaunt, he was the very picture of a se- 
cesh planter. I stopped him, and inquired the way to Camargo; 
he pointed to the road he had just left, and told me to follow that. 
I now told him I was a confederate officer, and that I had orders 
from Gen. Beauregard to gather up all the stragglers I could 
find, and bring them* forthwith to Corinth; that we Ayere expect- 
ing a jji'cat battle there with our " detestable foe," the Yankees, 
and that it was absolutely necessary for every one to be at his 
post. 

" You will," said I, " do me a favor and your country good 
service by giving me the names of all soldiers who are at home 
without leave in your neighborhood." 

"Certainly, sir," he replied; "I Avill do so with pleasure; and 
if 1 had time," he added, " I would go with you, and help to find 
them." 

I then drew out a note-book, and wrote down each name he 
gave me, with the company and regiment of each man, t(5gcther 
with his residence ; and then asked him to refer me to some re- 
sponsible citizens, who would give assistance if necessary. lie 
gave me the names of half a dozen, Avho, he said, would not only 
assist me, but would give the names of other delinquents. 



A CHIEF JUSTICE TAKEN IN. 217 

lie now prepared to ask me a few questions, and prefaced 
tliem with the statement that he was the "Chief Justice of 
Lincoln county, and that he was on his way to Fayetteville to 
open court on Monday morning. 

"Are there many cases to be disposed of?" I asked. 

" Yes, a good many," he said. 

"What is their nature generally?" was my next inquiry. 

"Why, they are mostly political," said he. 

I was at no loss to know what the phrase meant ; the accused 
were Union men, who, true to their principles, had refused to 
yield to the demands of the secessionists, but chose persecution 
rather than dishonor. I then concluded to have a little, fan out 
of the old fellow, and render the persecuted loyalists what assist- 
ance I could. But as I did not desire to kill him in cold blood, 
I concluded to frighten him a little by way of punishment. 
Pointing to the dense column of smoke that was rising from the 
burning bacon, I said roughly : 

" Look there, old man." 

"AVhy, Avhat in the name of God, does that mean?" inquired 
he, raising his eyes in utter astonishment. 

"Why, sir," I responded, " it means that I am a United States 
soldier, and I have just burned a rebel train up there, and am 
now about to dispose of the Chief Justice of Lincoln county " — 
at the same moment raising the hammer of my gun, and drawing 
a bead on him. 

"Great God! don't kill me, sir," he piteously pleaded; 
"do n't kill me." 

" Look here, old man," said I savagely, " if I let you live, do 
you think you will trouble LTnion men in this county again ?" 

"0, no, no, I will not." 

"Won't bring 'em to trial?" I asked. 

"No, indeed, I will not," he solemnly asserted; " I have been 
compelled to enforce the law," he then began in extenuation, 
when I interrupted him with, 

" Do n't talk to me about enforcing the laws, you old repro- 
bate, or I will kill you in your tracks. Now, see here," I con- 
13 



218 THE WHOLE COUNTRY AFTER ME. 

tinued, " I \vill give you a chance for your life. This is a level 
road, and a straight one; now, I ^vill count one hundred and 
fifty, and if you are not out of sight in that time, I shall kill 
you, just as sure as God made little apples." 

I gave the word, and began to count, and he darted off, like 
an arrow, and was soon lost to my view in a cloud of dust. 

Again taking the Athens road, I pushed on rapidly for some 
time till I passed several houses, and then, reaching a shallow 
creek, leading into the woods, I turned down it, so that the place 
where I left the road could not be found. T traveled up by- 
ways till near sunset, when I met with an old man, who had just 
crossed the Athens road, and he told me that he had seen twelve 
of Young's Tennessee Cavalry and fifteen mounted citizens after 
"a man, "who had been raising a disturbance up the country." 
He said that I answered the description exactly, and that ho 
believed I was the man. 

" You had better hide somewhere, till after dark," he advised 
me; "for they are alarming the whole country wherever they 

go." 

I saw that he was a Union man, so I told Iiim that if I 
kept on riding they could better see and hear me, and per- 
haps it would give them a chance to bushwhack me. I then told' 
him I wanted to find a sequestered spot, where I could leave my 
horse, and have him taken care of till I could get him again; 
and he told me of a very good Union man, who lived doAvn in 
the woods, away from any public road, and advised me to leave 
my horse there ; and he gave me such directions as would enable 
me to find the place, which I reached in safety. 

Leaving my horse, I took to the woods on foot, making direct 
for Decatur, taking the sun for my guide. The second night 
overtook me in the woods very near Madison depot, on 
the railroad between Iluntsville and Decatur. I had tried to 
travel in the night, but was overtaken by a terrible storm, and 
the darkness was so great that I could not find my way. Being 
very tired, I slept soundly, with no other bed than the ground, 
and no cover but my rubber Talma. 



PORTER BIBB — A UNION ](lAN. 219 

I aAYoke next morning just as it was beginning to get gray in 
the east, and found I had lain down in a low piece of ground, 
and the water had run under and around me, until it was about 
four inches deep. I was cold and wet, and hungry as a wolf. 
I made the railroad my guide after that, and passed throusli 
Madison just as the citizens were beginning to stir about, and 
I saw four or five rebel soldiers starting at that early hour 
toward a saloon for their morning drinks. I soon discovered 
that the railroad was the safest route I could travel, as there 
were no houses near it, and I followed it till I reached a point 
near Mooresville, where I stopped at the house of a Union man 
for breakfast, or rather dinner, for it was about ten o'clock. He 
took me for a rebel in disguise, sent there to try him and ascer- 
tain his sentiments. He gave his name as Porter Bibb, and I 
gave mine as Gabe Fitzhugh. T was trying to sound him and 
he was trying to sound me. We spent about two hours in lying 
to each other, to discover each the other's opinions, but had 
mutually failed, and when we had commenced lamenting the 
death of A. Sydney Johnson in the battle of Shiloh, we were 
interrupted by tlie entrance of a Quartermaster's sergeant, who 
I ascertained to belong to Young's 2d Tennessee Cavalry, and 
that they were guarding the identical bridge I was sent to 
inspect. I got into a conversation with them, and gave the 8th 
Texas — "Wharton's Rangers — as my regiment. They Averc 
without suspicion, and I do not think they had ever seen a 
Yankee before. 

My first business was to get their confidence — the next, to 
draw them into a conversation respecting the bridge. This 
was done without exciting the least suspicion as to who I was. 
They told me all about the bridge and its defenses, and how 
they were built of cotton bales ; and the sergeant gave me a 
description of how they tried its qualities as a defensive w"ork. 

"We took a six pound gun," said he. "and planted it three 
hundred 3'ards from the fort, loa-led with a heavy charge of 
p/owder and a solid shot, and then aiming at the fort about 
breast hidi to a man, we fired. The ball went throuo-h the 



220 CLOSE CROSS QUESTIONING. 

first Avail and tiu'ned downward, and struck the ground, glanced 
upward, struck and went through the top bale, knocking it to 
pieces, turned downward again and hit the Avater about the 
middle of the river, glanced up and struck a house on the 
opposite side of the river, then went through the walls and fell 
in the yard near the house." 

"Why did not the oflScers make the fort stronger?" I 
inquired. 

" Well," he said, " I asked that question myself, but the 
Colonel said it was 'nt intended to stand a siege, nor to turn 
artillery, but merely as a protection against Yankee cavalry ; 
that the 4th Ohio Avas evervAvhere, and pitching into every- 
thing, and no one knew Avhat day they might come to this 
section of the country. But let 'em come ; we are fixed for 
'em noAV." 

He Avas so explicit in his description that he actually mapped 
out the fortifications on the floor of Bibb's shop. 

While we were talking a rebel Captain came in, who, I sup- 
pose, was a relative of Bibb. He Avas very inquisitive, and 
AY anted to know all about me, adding that he hoped I would 
take no offense at his questions, as these "were very suspi- 
cious times." 

" Not at all, sir," was my answer, " an honest man is never 
afraid of being watched ? " 

" Is not that a Yankee uniform you are wearing ? " he asked. 

"Yes." 

"Why do you wear it?" was the next inquiry. 

"Because," said I, "it is unsafe to wear any other where 
I have been." 

"Where Avas that?" he wanted to knoAV. 

"Near Shelbyville." 

" How came you to be there ? Why are you not with your 
command?" was his next query. 

" I Avas," said I calmly, " left behind at a house, on the 
retreat from Nashville, too sick to travel." 

" Whose house were you left at ? " he persisted in asking. 



MORE CROSS- QUESTIONING. 221 

"I was left with a man named Butler." 

" Where is your horse ? " he wanted to know. 

" I let a comrade have it, ' I told him, " because I was afraid 
I would never be able to ride again." 

" Where are you going now ?" he asked. 

" To my regiment." 

" What is your regiment ? " 

" Wharton's Rangers." 

"What is your Captain's name?" he would like to know. 

" Captain Cook," I told him. 

" What part of Texas were you from ? " he asked. 

"From Waco, on the Brazos river," was my reply. ■ 

"Ah! I have been there; were you acquainted with Dr. 
Tindsley ? " he inquired. 

" Yes, sir," I said ; " he is president of the vigilance committee 
of McClennan county." 

He then went on to ask a great many more questions about 
the county and the people, and finally became fully satisfied that 
I was all right, and a good soldier. He then took his leave, and 
in a few minutes the corporal and sergeant got through their bu- 
siness and departed. Bibb then told me that dinner had been 
waiting for some time, and that he thought the men would never 
get away. 

" But," said he, " I never would have asked them to eat with 
me, if they had staid till to-morrow morning." 

I swallowed a hearty meal, the reader may be sure, as I had 
not eaten since I left Fayetteville on- Sunday morning, and this 
was Monday noon ; and, after dinner, I started out for Decatur, 
still following the railroad. When I passed houses, it would bo 
so far off that I was not noticed ; and when a train passed, I 
would be standing behind something, so that those on board 
could not see me until they had passed, when it would be too 
late to either stop, or shoot, or do anything else. When I ar- 
rived at the first railroad bridge in the swamp, not far from the 
Y in the road, I came to the camp of the 2ud Tennessee. I 



222 IN THE REBEL CAMP. 

walked in, unconcernedly, and called for Colonel Young, but 
was informed that he was over the river, at Decatur. 

"Do you wish to see Mm, sir?-' asked the Major. 

" YeSj sir," I replied, " but I will call again ; what time do 
vou expect him back ? " 

" About ten o'clock, this evening," answered the Major. 

" Then I will call to-morrow morning," I said, and turned to 
go away. 

At this point the Major began to evince anxiety as to who 
and what I was, and I answered that I was on my way to rejoin 
my regiment, at Corinth. This satisfied him, and he went into 
his tent ; but an idle soldier bawled out : 

" Say, thar ; what are you doiu' in a Yankee uniform ? " 

•' Why, I always like to wear the best I can get," said I, and 
moved on. 

No one pretended to stop me, although several asked me ques- 
tions. Just as I was leaving camp, some one hailed me, and 
wanted to know where I was going. I told him to a house that 
I pointed out in the distance, and that I intended to stay there 
all night. 

"You had better stay all night with us," he said; " we will 
treat you to the best we've got." 

" No, I thank you," I said ; " I have been sick for some time, 
and prefer sleeping in a house when it is convenient." 

" Don't blame you, sir," he responded; " I would do it myself, 
if I could." 

When I got to the house, I told the lady I was sick, and would 
like to lay down awhile ; and she invited me to rest on a bed 
which was standing near the fire, and I had a short nap, when I 
was aroused by the entrance of two men. Without moving, I 
surveyed them unobserved, for they had not seeji me yet ; and 
then I affected to be sound asleep, being well-concealed by a 
blanket. They inquired for me, and said they desired to speak 
with me. The woman pointed me out, and said I was a soldier, 
that had just stopped there, and inquired if I was the man they 
wanted. 



AN UNWELCOME INTRUSION. 223 

They said they supposed I was, and inquired of the Avoman 
\^•ho I represented myself to be; and she told. them substantially 
my story, Avhich was the same as that I had told before. One 
of them wanted to wake me up immediately, but the other said 
that I should be' allowed to sleep a little, while they warmed 
themselves. The first man, however, could not brook delay, and 
he walked up and shook me roughly, say in o- : 

" Come, soldier, get up ; we want to talk to you." 
I got awake, finally, and without offering to get up, asked 
them Avhat they wanted, in a tone expressive of no pleasure at 
their intrusion. They then began to question me as to who I 
was, where I was going, what my regiment was, and so on : all 
of Avhich I answered promptly and carefully. Pausing a little, 
one winked at the other, who nodded in return ; then addressing 
me, he said : 

" Well, my friend, we want you to go to camp with us." 
" I have been to your camp," said I, " and came from it, over 
here to stay all night." 

" Well," said the spokesman, " we want you to go back with 
us." 

" I do n't propose to go back there to-night, ' I responded. 
" AVell," he continued, " I think you will have to go." 
They had not yet drawn their pistols, and, without giving them 
time to do go, I seized my own, under the blanket, and jumped to 
the floor, ready to fire. 

" Now," said I, "get out of this house, and do it quickly, or 
I will shoot you." 

They began at once to stammer apologies for their conduct, 
but I shut them up : 

" I treated you like gentleman," said I indignantly, " and you 
have insulted me by your outrageous pertinacity, and I want 
you to get out of my sight. I do n't allow any man to intrude 
on me, while I am attending to my own business." 

They saw that they could not draw their Aveapons without ex- 
posing themselves to a shot, so they Avalked out of the house. 
Knowing very well that they would go to camp and get more 



224 FOLLOWED BY DLOODHOUNDS. 

men, and then return, I began to study hovr I should proceed. 
One thing was certain ; I could not get to the bridge immedi- 
ately, for it was too strongly guarded ; so, sitting down to the 
table, as supper Avas announced, I made the people believe I was 
not in the least disconcerted at what had passed ; but, all the 
time, I was studying how to beat the rebels next. I carefully 
calculated the time it would require for them to ride to camp and 
get a squad of men and ride back ; and after eating I stood in the 
door a moment, and then said to the woman that I guessed I would 
go over to camp and see those fellows; that I didn't know what 
was the matter with them ; and that they must have thought that 
I was a suspicious character ; and the woman thought my plan a 
good one, and I started out, going across a very large Avheat field, 
and then all around it, trying to find my way through the swamp, 
to the river, calculating to steal a boat and float down under the 
bridge. 

I failed in this, however, and knowing that I had no time to 
lose, I started back up the country to find our army. I took a 
course by the stars, and traveled till late in the night, when I 
heard the deep-mouthed baying of a hound behind me. I stop- 
ped to listen a few minutes, and heard it repeated several times, 
and then came a chorus, loud and strong, of several dogs. 
Listening attentively, I knew by the sound, that they were fol- 
lowing my track. I was near a dense body of timber, and 
darted into it, at the top of my speed, and did not run far, till 
I found, to my great joy, I was plunged into a stream of wa- 
ter waist deep. 

I now felt confident of breaking the trail ; so, wading across the 
stream, I raised on the other bank, into a dark, shallow swamp of 
considerable extent. Holding on my course by the stars, I wan- 
dered for nearly an hour, when it became so dark and cloudy that 
I could not see. I, however, kept on, till so thoroughly exhausted 
that rest was a necessity ; but still the swamp seemed intermin- 
able, and the water was about Avaist deep. I Avas almost ready to 
fall from fatigue, Avhen I discovered a Avhite spot on the surface 
of the Avater. It is an old adage, that a " drowning man Avill 



A RELIABLE CONTRABAND, 225 

catcli at a straw," and it was true in my case. I pushed on, and 
found it was a pile of new rails, rising above the water about 
five inches, and I clambered upon it, and stretched myself out 
to rest, and was soon in a deep sleep. I could still hear the 
dogs occasionally, as I mounted the rail-pile, and was aston- 
ished at it, for I thought I must have traveled ten or twelve 
miles. 

Next morning, I awoke chilled almost to death. I could 
scarcely straighten myself up, I was so benumbed with cold. 
I got down into the water, uhich, by contrast, actually a^^peared 
warm ; and I waded through it for almost half an hour, when I 
reached dry land, in the rear of a plantation ; and, looking across 
a field, I could see the negroes just turning out to work. , I im- 
mediately slipped across to their quarters, and approaching a 
gray-haired veteran, I told him I was a Yankee soldier, and 
needed his assistance, and he replied that anything he could do, 
would be done quickly and cheerfully. I told him I was hun- 
gry, and he went in and brought out an ash-cake, and a very 
large, thick slice of ham, and gave it to me, saying, he was 
glad to be able to do something for "his people," adding: 

"Massa, I alius calls you 'our people,' — God's people — 'coz 
I knows you wants to make de poor brack people free, and don't 
want to keep dem down, crushed down like dumb beasts, and 
make slaves of dem as long as dey live. God will take care ob 
his soldiers, dat he will ; and dem what gits killed in battle, 
he takes right home to glory. Tank de Lord, for his mercy ; 
de day ob 'liberance is at han', wen do poor brack man kin hoi' 
up his hed, an' say I'ze a man, and not a beast. Tank de Lord, 
tank de Lord, for bringin' de brave norden solders to fight our 
battles, and make us free, like oder people, and de Lord bress 
you, my son, an' I hope you git back to your own people, an' 
not a har of your head be touched." 

Had I listened a moment longer I must have shed tears, so 
feelingly earnest, and with such deep sincerity were the old 
man's words uttered. As I was in haste, I broke off here, and 
taking a young negro with me, to show me the way through the 



226 NEGRO AND BUGGY CONFISCATED. 

next swamp, I jumped over the fence, and -was soon out of sidit 
in the thicket. 

When I parted Tvith the okl man, he asked my name and regi- 
ment; and the last words I heard him utter, as I pushed out on 
my journey, were : 

" Ole Jacob will pray to de Lord for you dis night ; may de 
Lord always keep you in his han.'" 

My guide seemed to be perfectly at home in the swamp, and 
piloted the way for three miles over a string of logs, which 
seemed to be arranged by accident, and not design, so as to 
form a complete chain across it, so that we Avere landed on the 
opposite side without wading a step. I now made my way 
across that immense body of timbered land Avhich lies between 
Athens and Fayetteville, to a mill, on the road to Huntsville, 
and seventeen miles north of that town, and found that our 
army had encamped there on the previous night. 

Every horse in the vicinity had been picked up by our men, 
or I would have now confiscated one to overtake the command. 
I, however, was compelled to go on foot, till I reached Meridian- 
ville, where, as good luck would have it, I met a negro in a 
buggy, who was driving a very fine horse, and I at once con- 
cluded to ride, and make up for lost time. I accordingly con- 
cealed myself until he got close to me, when I stopped him and 
jumped into the buggy, and, turning it around, I was off — not 
only with the horse, but with the negro, baggage, and buggy, all 
of which were impressed into the service of the United States. 

Putting the horse out to the top of his speed, I drove into 
Huntsville just as the men were raising the headquarter tents 
I reported the condition of the country, down below, on both 
sides of the river, as far as Tuscumbia, and that it was clear of 
I'ebels with the exception of the 2nd Tennessee and 1st Louis- 
iana — both cavalry regiments ; but it was impossible for me to 
get to the bridge, and learned that the rebels had it already tarred, 
and that pitch-pine was piled in it, ready to be fired at a mo- 
ment's notice. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
CARRYING AN BIPORTANT DISPATCH TO GENERAL BUELL. 

When Huntsville was captured, a great amount of rolling 
stock fell into our hands ; indeed so sudden was the blow struck, 
that a train already fired up, was unable to escape. Upon 
this latter, Colonel Turchin's command mounted and started 
for Decatur, at once ; and in two hours the town was in the 
Colonel's possession, and the flag of the Republic waving over it 
— my friends of the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry having a hard time 
to save themselves ; and some of them, who were out in pursuit 
of me, on coming back, being unaware of the change, rode di- 
rectly into our camp, and were captured. 

The occupation of Huntsville took place on the 11th day of 
April, 1862 ; and the amount of public stores which fell into 
our hands was immense. We likewise took about five hundred 
prisoners ; and in the telegraph ofiice was found a dispatch from 
General Beauregard, giving the strength of his force at Corinth ; 
together with his position ; the disposition of the command ; 
the amount of supplies on hand; the number of reinforcements 
required; and by what time they must be on the ground, or he 
would be compelled to evacuate the place ; and adding that if 
that place fell into the hands of the enemy, the cause of the 
South was lost. This dispatch was given to me in a few hours 
after I got to Huntsvill^ and I was ordered to take my own 
way to get the document to General Buell, at Corinth, but to 
get it there without delay. 

I saw the importance of the dispatch at once, and I mounted 
mj' wild horse — the one the General gave me — and, as he handed 
me the document, he told me that he had sent two other men 
with copies, and expressed the fear that they would not get 
through, as they were inexperienced in the country. "Now," 
said he, " I depend on your getting through with it." 



228 AT FAYETTEVILLE AGAIN. 

I turned my horse down toward the Fayetteville road, and 
put him out at a rapid gait. He was a large, thorough bred 
animal, six years old, and perfectly wild, not even being " bridle 
wise ;" and, when once I got him started on a straight road, I 
" let him out" to his best, till I got him pretty tired, when I 
checked him up to a more moderate speed. 

He made the trip to Fayetteville in three hours, a distance of 
thirty-six miles. When I reached the town, I stopped with my 
old friend, the tavern keeper, and got another good breakfast, 
for I had been riding in the latter part of the night. Colonel 
Pope, of the 15th Kentucky Infantry, was in command of the 
town, and I went to him and asked him for a fresh horse. He 
immediately summoned some of the leading citizens to his head- 
quarters, and told them they must furnish me with the best an- 
imal in the town, and bring him to me forthwith ; and they were 
not long in obeying, but brought a magnificent horse — the pro- 
perty of a doctor who lived near. The owner expressed some 
dissatisfaction at parting with it, but a Yankee guard is inexor- 
able and it had to come ; and Colonel Pope was a man who al- 
lowed no triflino;. 

Mounting the doctor's horse, I went by way of Fishing 
creek ford, to Columbia, the county seat of Maury county, 
Tennessee, which place was commanded by General Negley; 
and to him I delivered the dispatch, with the request of General 
Mitchell that it might be sent immediately by telegraph to Gen- 
eral Buell, at Pittsburg Landing. General Negley was in bed 
"when I arrived at his quarters, but he rose and called on his Ad- 
jutant General, Captain Hill, to take it to the telegraph office ; 
Avhilc he directed me to the best hotel in the place, offering to 
pay my bill. 

About four miles from Columbia, I had fallen from my horse 
from fatigue alone, and I presume I lay for at least an hour, en- 
tirely unconscious ; but on recovering, I found my horse tied to 
a bush near by; and in the vicinity was a woman's track in the 
dust, showing that some one approached me, while in a state of 
insensibility and had gone away immediately, supposing I was 



A RELIABLE CONTRABAND. 229 

merely sleeping ; and it was probable that slie tied my animal. It 
was a lucky circumstance that none of the many squads of guer- 
rillas infesting that region, discovered me, in that unguarded 
condition, or perhaps I would never have reached my destina- 
tion. 

I can not say exactly what caused me to fall ; I remember 
distinctly that I was wide awake and whistling at the time ; when 
suddenly it seemed as if a great weight was lowered down upon 
my right shoulder, and I felt myself sinking ; then suddenly 
the weight seemed to shift to my left shoulder, and I remember 
no more. 

On my way back to Huntsville, and about eight miles from 
Columbia, a negro waved his hat at me, and I stopped. He was 
more than a quarter of a mile from the road, but when he saw 
me halt, he came up at a run. He then asked me, almost breath- 
less with excitement, if I was the man that had gone up the 
road two days before, and I told him that I did pass there 
about that time, " the day before yesterday." 

" Well, den," said he, " you bin de bery man dat I want to 
see. Massa, I'ze gwine to tell you sumthin' now, but you mus' 
promise neber to git me into no trouble." 

I told him to speak out; that I was a Yankee soldier and his 
friend, who would never betray him, and he then proceeded with 
his information, which was to the effect that his master and eight 
other men were waylaying me in a small mill, intending to kill 
me, as I went down the country. He said that the plan was 
laid in his master's house, and that he was the owner of the 
mill ; and that the other men were to come there, as if on busi- 
ness, but bring arms with them, concealed. There was a bridge 
above the mill, within short gunshot, and a ford below it, even a 
less distance away. They were to stand in the mill and fire on 
me ; and if I went by the bridge, my body was to be sunk in the 
pond, and if I crossed at the ford, my remains would be swept 
away by the current ; while my horse was to be given to one of 
the party, who was going to the rebel army. 

When I received this notice, I thanked my informant, and 



230 CHARGING A MILL. 

then rode down to the mill at a charge; and instead of going to 
the bridge or the ford, dashed right up to the door of the build- 
ing. The miller saw me coming, and ran in ; but I called him 
out, and, keeping him between the mill and myself, took him to 
account about the proposed murder. At first he attempted to 
deny all knowledge of the oifense; but I told him it was useless; 
that one of the best proofs in the world was his running from 
me, when I had not yet turned toward him. I told him that I 
did not want to kill as old a man as he was, but if he did not 
tell me all about it, I would go back to Columbia, and get a 
party of cavalry and come out and burn his mill, his house and 
barn, and carry off every dollar's worth of property he had, 
that we could haul away. He hesitated a little, and then asked 
if I intended to hurt him if he did tell. 

"No," said I, "but I must know where your men are, for I 
have come for a fight." 

" They are not here at all, sir," said he ; " they have gone ; 
they only staid one night and day, and then gave up your com- 
ing back this way ; " and he said this in such a way as to con- 
vince me that he wanted it to go a long way in extenuation of 
the act. 

" Well, old man," I replied, " I will advise you a little. Never, 
as long as you live, oifer again to molest a Yankee soldier. 
Nothing but your gray hairs now saves you from a bloody 
death. Let this be a warning to you, and I will spare you ; 
but you must give me the names of those other men. I will 
bring them to an account.'' 

As he gave the names, I wrote them down on a slip of paper, 
and then giving the hardened old sinner a parting admonition, I 
crossed the ford, and resumed my journey. 

Not far from Meridian, a little while before night, I overtook 
Sergeant — now Captain — White, of the 4th Ohio. I was very 
much fatigued and sick, and we stopped to stay all night near 

where we came together. Our host was named D n, who is 

a prosperous citizen, and to him I mentioned the fact that I was 
not well. He stated that he was scarce of bed-room, but that 



A NIGHT ATTACK. 231 

I could sleep in the store-room ^Yith his clerk ; while he put the 
sergeant to sleep with a safe guard named Greathouse. 

Late in the night I heard a noise outside, on the ground. It 
appeared like some one walking softly on a loose board; and 
listening, I heard it repeated ; and at the same moment, the 
figure of a man's head was visible before the window, and pre- 
sently another was seen ; after which they suddenly disappeared. 
Soon afterward, however, they returned, one at a time, and I 
cautiously whispered to my companion, who, to my astonishment, 
was wide awake and watching the window. I told him to slip 
out cautiously into the other room, which he did ; but as he went 
he stumbled against a chair, and the figures disappeared in- 
stantly. 

For a long time I saw no more, and was on the point of call- 
ing the young man back, when they slowly approached from 
opposite sides of the window. Soon the one on the left moved 
noiselessly over to the right, and another appeared in his place ; 
and all stood gazing intently into the darkened room. I could 
see them distinctly, but they could not well see me. At length 
the last man who came up, raised a large, heavy gun, in such a 
position that it crossed the window diagonally ; and while this 
was going on, I had quietly raised myself up in the bed, and 
as I was not undressed, I drew my pistol and cocked it noiselessly, 
by keeping my finger pressed on the trigger ; and while the man 
with the gun was gazing intently into the room, I fired with a 
careful aim directly at his face. 

There was a fall, a low moan, short, heavy breathing, hurried 
whisperings, and then a heavy shuffling sound, as of men running 
and supporting a considerable weight. My first impulse was to 
spring out, and by firing rapidly upon the retreating party, rouse 
my two comrades ; but upon reflection, I concluded to hold my 
position, as they Avere probably watching the door to shoot me 
if I went out. I then waited till the moanins sound had died 
away, and then whispered to my comrade to return to bed. He 
did so, and we both enjoyed an unbroken rest till morning. 

1 never was able fully to explain this mysterious intrusion. 



232 NO REST FOR THE WICKED. 

The men may not have been enemies; I may have misjudged 
their character ; but in all cases, Avhen mistakes are made which 
result in shooting, I ivant to he the party wJio viaJces the mistake. 
I arrived in Huntsville again without further adventure, but 
greatly fatigued. But there is an old adage that there is " no 
rest for the wicked," and I found it so in my case. I went 
at once to head quarters to report. Although it was night, I 
found the General, as usual, wide awake and busy. Turning to 
me quickly, he asked me if I was not " almost tired to death." 
I told him I Avas very tired, but was ready for any service; to 
go anywhere, or do anything he might desire, in the line of 
my duty. 



CHAPTER XX. 

RECONNOITERIXG BRIDGEPOUT TAKEN PEISONER — MY TREATMENT — CR0ELTT 

OP THE REBELS. 

After I had made my report, the General turned to me and 
said : 

'' How many rebels are there at Bridgeport." 

I told him I did not know, but would go and see for him. 

" That is just what I want you to do," he remarked ; "go and 
see. But do you want any money, or disguise ?" 

"No, sir, I will go in uniform." 

"Then," he continued, "I want you to use all diligence, and 
report as soon as possible ; you will find our troops at Bellefonte, 
and then you will have seventeen or eighteen miles to scout 
aloue ; do this for me now, and when you return, you shall have 
a long rest." 

I mounted my wild horse again, and was off at once. I had 
time to get to Maysville, a town twelve miles out, before morn- 
ing, and there I stopped for breakfast. While I was staying there 
I was overtaken by Lieutenant Criss, of the 4th Ohio Cavalry, 
with about thirty men, who were going to Bellefonte, which is 
about ninety miles from Huntsville. We had no adventure on 
the route ; but when we reached the place, we were surprised to 
find that it had been evacuated by our troops. Lieutenat Criss 
said that he must go back, as he had already gone further than 
he was ordered ; and he turned toward Huntsville immediately. 
I dismounted, and as my horse could be of no further service, I 
sent him back to camp by one of the men. I was now alone, 
and nearly one hundred miles from our lines, and the little party 
which came with me was rapidly disappearing from view. 

When they were out of sight, I walked into a little grocery to 
14 



236 CONFISCATING A DINNER. 

see what was in it and to hear the news. The room was literally 
packed with men — some dressed as citizens, but by far the greater 
number sporting the tawdry trappings of the rebel soldier. I 
scanned the crowd closely for arms, but could detect none. 
What the men were there for I could not tell, nor did I stav to 
inquire. My eye fell upon the landlord of the hotel, and I " sad- 
dled" him for a dinner, but he refused to get it, telling me it was 
after the usual time. I replied that I must have a meal, and that 
immediately; and he again began to make an excuse in return, 
and in an under tone muttered : " I do n't keep tavern to feed 
Yankee soldiers at," when I drew my pistol and told him to get 
out of that grocery and order my dinner at once, or he would be 
a dead man; and I was about to suit the action to the word when 
he darted out. 

I then began to question the crowd to know how so many men 
should collect together in so short a time after the Yankees had 
left, but no one answered me. I knew that they were furloughed 
rebels, and professional bushwhackers by their appearance, and 
that they had just come down from the mountains, when they 
saw our men leave, in order to see what it meant. What they 
had done with their arms, or why they were unarmed, was a 
mystery to me. Their frightened appearance showed that they 
had just huddled into the little grocery when they saw our squad 
approaching ; and nothing prevented their capture, in a body, 
but the fact that Lieutenant Criss had failed to search the town 
before he turned back. 

Pretty soon the tavern keeper appeared at the door and 
invited me to dinner, which I found to be a very good repast, 
though it was cold. Some people would scarcely have relished a 
meal given under such circumstances, by an unwilling host, and it 
prepared behind their backs ; but I never feared " pizen," and 
ate with a relish. While I was eating, a train whistled in the 
distance, and in a minute it dashed into to>vn. 

The crowd rushed out, and off into the mountains, at the first 
sound of the whistle ; and I was happy to be thus suddenly re- 
lieved of my ill-looking neighbors. The train was loaded with 



ARRIVAL AT STEVENSON. 237 

troops, under command of the Lieut. Colonel of the Thirtj-third 
Ohio infantry, and Major Driesbach, of the 4th Ohio cavalry. . 

The Major did not like to see me start out on foot, so, yield- 
ing to his advice, I took a horse that he provided for me. I did 
this against my better judgment, for I very well knew that I 
could not ride two days without detection. The Major then 
sent a detachment of men with me as far as Stevenson, under 
command of Capt. Crane, and on the route we Avere continually 
beset by high waters, which overflowed large sections of the 
country. It was dangerous to travel through the swamps, for it 
was impossible to know the moment we might be precipitated 
over a bank, into deep water, or the channel of a stream, so 
swift that it would carry us away in the current. However, 
after great labor, and several " duckings,'*' we found ourselves 
in Stevenson, a little town in the Cumberland mountains, where 
the Memphis and Charleston railroad crosses the railway from 
Nashville to Chattanooga; and here we stopped at the "Ala- 
bama HouRo," then a very good hotel. There was no enemy 
nearer than Bridgeport, which was ten miles away ; and as it 
was my business to reconnoitre that town, and ascertain the 
strength of the garrison defending it, Capt. Crane retired from 
Stevenson to a post three miles out, and encamped, to await ray 
return. I was favored by the darkness, and rode almig the main 
road, while the rebels were extremely careless, not anticipating 
the presence of an enemy. As I approached the camp, I 
stopped a big booby of a boy, who had not sense enough to 
know one kind of soldier from another, and got him to tell me 
where the pickets stood, and all about the lay of the camp, 
which he could not help knowing, as he had just been there, and 
Avas on his way home ; and he also gave me a very close 
estimate as to the force the rebels had in and around the place ; 
and he further pointed out a railroad bridge across "Widow's 
creek, which the enemy were rebuilding, or rather had rebuilt, 
but on the first trial the structure and locomotive were precipit- 
ated into the stream together. 

Bidding the boy good bye, I followed a road he described, and 



238 RECONNOITERING BRIDGEPORT. 

after traveling about four miles, I rode into the rebel camp. 
Up one way, and down another, I went swiftly, through the 
dark, without being once halted or disturbed by a Johnny. If 
they noticed me at all, they probably supposed me to be an 
orderly. 

Having thus a good opportunity to judge of the number of 
their forces around me, I arrived at the conclusion that, on 
the north side of the river, there were about five thousand men, 
thus confirming the statement of a negro, who had visited us, 
some time before, and who also estimated that there were about 
three thousand on the south side. I saw two pieces of artillery 
near the river bank, above the bridge, but these were all the 
cannon I saw. Bridgeport was, as I discovered, a " flourishing 
village," consisting of one house — a well built one story frame, 
with two rooms. 

Having reconnoitered to my satisfaction, I returned to Capt. 
Crane's camp, reaching it a little before da34ight, when I found 
him in the act of starting again for Bellefonte. I gave him my 
report to deliver to the General, telling him that I would remain 
in the mountains, till our troops came up to take the place. 

Parting from him, I climbed up into the mountain, with my 
horse, taking a route which would lead me toward Bridgeport. 
When I got to Widow's creek, again, I went down into the 
valley, passing the picket at the railroad bridge, and passing 
around by a ford, some distance below, and attempting to ride 
again into their camp, in broad daylight. I had proceeded about 
one hundred yards toward the camp, when I was halted by a 
picket, consisting of a Sergeant, and eight men. When I turned, 
they were standing at a " ready," and I saw that something must 
be done quickly, or it was all over with me ; so, quietly wheeling 
my horse around,! made back toward them very quietly, and when 
within about thirty-five yards of the post, raised my gun quickly, 
leveled it at the Sergeant's breast, and fired ; then spurring my 
horse well back in the flank, I started him off" Avith a spring. 
I saw the Sergeant reel, but saw no more. At that instant they 
fired, but missed so badly that I did not even hear the whistling 



AN EXCITING CHASE. 239 

of the balls. Again they drew a bead on me, but I threw my- 
6elf down on my horse's side, and went past them at a charge, 
and the missiles went far over my head, and I was safe. They 
had double barreled shot guns, and had each barrel loaded with 
a ball, and three buck shot ; this I learned afterward. 

I had to run, through a straight lane, about eight hundred 
yards ; and while going down it, several bullets were fired, some 
of which passed near me ; so I concluded that there must have 
been more rebs about than the eight at the picket post, though 
I did not see them. When I got to the end of the lane, I 
wheeled into the mountains, and for the first time looked back. 
Here I saw a squad of cavalry, just entering the other end of 
the lane. 

When I got about half way up the mountain I had to dis- 
mount, as my horse was now thoroughly exhausted. Stooping 
down to take a drink of water at a spring, 1 distinctly heard the 
rebs at the foot of the mountain, yelling to an old miller whom 
I had passed, asking him which trail that bareheaded man had 
taken. I at once hurried on up the mountain, and when on the 
top, struck out on a path which rather led me back toward 
Bridgeport — a piece of strategy intended to deceive my pursu- 
ers, who would naturally conclude that I was heading for Belle- 
fonte — something I should have done, had my horse been 
equal to a straight race. As it was, however, I had to rely on 
woodcraft alone. 

The main body of them missed me at the spring, but a few 
held on the right trail, and we had it up and down five high 
mountains, and across a many valleys, back and forth through 
the different little trails, until we were overtaken by night. I 
now began to think my escape certain, but on coming down into 
the valley of Little Coon, I found every road picketed, and the 
citizens aroused ; and I heard of several squads of cavalry 
scouring the country in search of me. 

Some of the citizens were ready to befriend me, but others 
were shy ; while one, and only one, shot at me, and he stood at 
least three hundred yards ofi", and as soon as he touched the 



240 BETRAYED AND CAPTURED. 

trigger of his piece lie wheeled and took to his heels, as if Old 
Nick was after him. After dark I thought I would have time 
to stop and get a bite to eat, as I was exceedingly wearied and 
nearly famished ; and I accordingly stopped at the house of a 
man named Terry. He was moderately wealthy, but like a 
great many others in that section and at that time, was not 
bountifully supplied with provisions ; but his daughter gave me 
some corn bread and milk, together with some fried bacon ; and 
after eating what I wanted, I discovered that I was so exhausted 
from over exertion, that it was next to impossible for me to 
move. Rest was absolutely essential, and I threw myself down 
before the fire, putting my feet as near to it as I could bear, in 
order to take the soreness out of them. 

I had been there, I presume, about half an hour when two 
men entered, whom I supposed, judging from their appearance, 
to be citizens ; and our orders were to treat such with kindness, 
and not molest them unless they showed signs of hostility; and 
I accordingly used them politely when they entered. They told 
Terry that they were greatly wearied, and desired to stop for a 
while to rest; but they were scarcely seated, when a knock was 
heard at the door, and when it was opened a soldier, in full uni- 
form, entered. In an instant I was on my feet, and clearing 
the space between us at a bound, leveled my pistol on him. We 
were but about two feet apart, and the muzzle of my weapon 
touched his breast, and I ordered him to put down his gun ; and 
as he perceived no time was to be lost, he lowered his piece un- 
til it nearly touched the floor. This was done in much less time 
than it takes to tell it; but at this stage of afl"airs the other two 
sprang at me with pistols in han(ti^ and jammed them violently 
against my head on each side, and ordered me to surrender, and 
at the same instant they seized hold of my pistol -hand, and 
jerked it back over my head. Thus relieved, the soldier raised 
his double-barreled gun, and thrust it against my breast, and 
ordered me to surrender ; and although further resistance was 
useless, I did not and could not speak. I was completely taken 
in, and it was all the result of my foolhardiness and carlessness. 

i 



REPORT TO ROSECRANS. 241 

I could have done without anything to eat, and I mio^ht havo 
abandoned my broken-down horse, which was, at best, but an 
incumbrance to me ; and I might have concealed myself in the 
mountains till our army advanced on Bridgeport, which I very 
well knew would be in a few days ; indeed, there were many 
things I could have done, and avoided my embarrassing situ- 
ation ; but it was then too late; I Avas a prisoner. 

I was taken from the house into the yard, when, for the first 
time, I discovered that the place was surrounded. About two 
hundred yards from the house was the captain of the gan^fi^, and 
we marched out to him ; he ordered me to be tied, and then 1 
learned that my captors belonged to Stearns' battalion of Ten- 
nessee Cavalry. 

The reader will be able to derive a faint idea of what I saw 
and suifered, from this time till I was exchanged, from the fol- 
lowing report I made to Gen. Rosecrans, and which I extract 
from the "Annals of the Army of the Cumberland," and which 
was written just after I had been exchanged and had reported 
to my regiment for duty : 

MuRFREESBOKo', Miircli 22(1, 1863. 
" On the 24th of April, 1862, T was taken prisoner near the town of 
Bridgeport, Tennessee, by a battalion of rebel cavalry under command of 
a Colonel Stearns. 1 was alone on a scout at the time, and fell in with 
nine of the enemy's pickets. I got the first shot and killed the sergeant, 
(so I was told by Captain Poe, who had command of the pickets.) 1 was 
pursued by five companies of cavalry. After running several miles I was 
obliged to stop and dismount at a house to get something to eat, and 
while there was surrounded by one of the pursuing companies and cap- 
tured. T was then tied on a horse and carried over a mountain to where 
the battalion was camped; arriving there about nine o'clock P. JI. When 
we got there I was immediately surrounded by about two hundred men, 
some crying "Hang him !" "Shoot him!" "Shoot the d — d Yankee!' and 
several of them leveled their guns on me; some of them being cocked. 
A Captain Haines told them T -was his prisoner and under his protection, 
and he detailed twenty-four men to guard me, placing two men at each 
corner of my blanket. When we went to bed the Captain lay down on 
one side of me, and his first Lieutenant on the other; and in this way 1 
was preserved from assassination. 



242 REPORT CONTINUED. 

"The next day T was taken to Bridgeport. 1 fared Very well at that 
place, but the day foliowinc; I wns taken to Chattanooga and confined in 
the jail, a two story building. The upper story, where I was confined, 
was about twelve feet square. Here were confined nineteen Tennessee- 
ans, a negro, and myself. In the dungeon, which was only ten feet squnre, 
were confined twenty-one men, belonging to the 2d, the 21st, and 33d Ohio 
Infantry, who were charged with being spies. They were under command 
of a Captain Andrews, who was then under sentence of death by a court 
martial reeentiy held at Chattanoorra. They were waitine; for the Secre- 
tary of War at Richmond to ratify the proceedings of the court martial 
previous to executing the Captain, and they said if they were ratified, the 
rest would certainly be hung. I was afterward informed by the rebels 
that Andrews and eight of the men were hung at Atlanta, Georgia. I 
was told subsequently by a rebel citizen, that they hung Andrews and 
seventeen men. I once went into the dungeon where these men were, 
and found them handcuffed and chained in pairs by the neck with a heavy 
chain, which was locked around each man's neck with a padlock that 
would ^\eigh two pounds. These padlocks were larger than a man's hand. 
We were fed twice a day on tolerably good bread, spoiled beef, and coffee 
made of cane seed. There was no sink in the jail, and our offal stoo 1 in 
a bucket in the room where we were confined, day and night, and was only 
emptied twice ,a day, and of course the stench was intolerable. We 
were denied the privilege of was4iing our clothes, or of having it done. 
The jail was literally swarming with vermin, nor was it ever cleaned out. 

"From Chattanooga' I was taken to Knoxville, to another jail, and con- 
fined in an iron cage. Here T was told by a man named Fox, the jailor, 
that T was brought to Knoxville to be tried by a court martial as a spy, 
and that if T was tried T would no doubt be hung. This court martial 
adjourned without bringing me to fi trial, as did the one at Chattanooga. 
From there I was sent to ^lobile, where another court martial was in 
session. After keeping me about eight days at this place, I was next sent 
to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. From this city I was taken, in company with 
all the other prisoners at this post, to Montgomery, Alabama. The first 
day out 1 was taken sick with pneumonia and typhoid fever, Imt the rebel 
surgeons refused me any medicine, and even a bed, and f was left for 
twelve days lying upon the deck of the boat, with nothing to eat but corn 
bread and beef, which latter the rebels said- had been packed five years. 
At 'I'uscaloosa they shot a federal soldier for looking out of a window, 
and vi-ounded another in the face for the same offense. At Montgomery 
they refu!=ed to let me go to a hospital, although in an utterly helpless 
condition. Here they shot a federal Lieutenant under the following cir- 
cumstances : he had been allowed to go out for milk, accompanied by a 
guard, and he was waiting for a woman to hand the milk out through a 



REPORT CONTINUED. 243 

■Window, when tlie guard gave the order to '■come on.' 'Wait a moment, 
till I get my milk,' said the Lieutenant. The guard made no reply, hut 
instantly shot him in the breast with a shot gun, killing him forthwith. 

"From Montgomery I was taken to Macon, Georgia, in company with 
twelve hundred others. Here we were allowed seven pounds of corn 
meal and two and a half pounds of bacon of bad quality, for seven 
days. We were allowed two surgeons and but very little medicine. Our 
men fared very badly here, being punished severely for the sliglitest 
offenses. One man, named Cora, was kept tied up for three days by the 
wrists to a tree, so that his toes just touched the ground, because lie 
helped kill a yearling calf that got into the camp. A Floridan and two 
Kentuckians, political prisoners, were confined in the jail at Macon on 
quarter rations for twenty-two days. The only offense they had committed 
was to attempt to escape from the prison lot. Our men were pegged down 
on the ground for any misdemeanor. This was done by stretching out the 
limbs and driving down a forked stick over them, and the operation was 
completed by driving one down over the neck. It would be impossible to 
tell all the hardships to which we were subjected, but 1 have endeavored 
to portra}' a few of them. The}' may be summed up thus: 

"We were confined in bad quarters, and many were without any 
quarters. Our dead were left unburied for days together, and some 
entirely so — at least to our knowledge. We were denied medical attend- 
ance. Our chaplains were forbid preaching to us or praying with us, (by 
order of jMajor Kylander. ) Our men and oflicers were shot without cause. 
An insane federal was shot at Macon, Georgia, for no offense. We were 
compelled to bury our dead in the river banks, where their bodies were 
liable to be washed out. We were beaten with clubs on board the steamer 
en route ^ov Montgomery, Alabama. We were fed on foul and unwhole- 
some diet, and frequently left without any rations for two or three days at 
a time. Our exchange was delayed as long as possible, and we were con- 
fined in camps surrounded by swamps, as the rebels said, that Ave all 
might die. I find it impossible to enumerate all the hardships put upon 
us, but have enumerated such as were the most intolerable." 

"James Pike," 
" Co. A, 4th O. V. C." 

While we were proceeding along tlirougli the mountains, we 
came to a narrow shelf, -with a deep abyss on our right, and a 
perpendicular rocky ascent on our left; and along this I passed 
watched by five guards — two before and three behind. At some 
parts it was so narrow that it was almost impassable for one to 
walk along ; and at one place, we came to a rock which almost 



244 REBEL BARBARITY. 

blocked up the "way. There ^vas not room for a man to walk 
squarely between the rock and the cliff, Avliile on the outside, the 
trail ran so close to the great precipice, that it -was extremely 
dangerous to attempt to folloAV it, even on foot. 

When 'sve reached this place I asked the guards to untie me, 
so that I could keep my feet from being hurt by the rock. 

"No," said the sergeant, in a rough way; "'ride on and hold 
your feet up." 

" You forget, sergeant," said I, " that my feet are tied under 
the horse, and that I can not raise them." 

" Well, ride on," he replied in a tone of command, " or you 
may fare Avorse." 

" Let me ride on the outsi<le of the rock, then," I requested, 
" or my feet will be jammed against the rocks." 

He now turned partly round in his saddle, and drawing his 
pistol, said : " Look'ee here now, sir, you ride right through thar 
whar I did, or I'll shoot you." 

Seeing that expostulations were useless, I rode into the nar- 
row channel, although I saw I should be hurt. Turning to one 
of the guard, I said : 

"Guard, will you untie my feet till I get through this place?" 

"No," he said, with a horrid oath, " Ave 've got orders from 
Colonel Stearnes to keep you tied till we get you to Bridgeport ; 
he says you are a mighty hard case, and he gave us orders to 
shoot you if you did n't go along willingly, so you had better 
ride m. 

My rif^ht foot caught on the top of the rock in the trail, and 
my left a^i^ainst the side of the cliff; and for about three steps 
down the mountain the Avhole Aveight of the horse's fore parts 
rested on my ankles by the rope under his belly. The torture 
Avas excruciating, but acting on Indian principles, I uttered no 
complaint. The horse lunged forward three times on his hind 
feet, until he dragged my foot over the rock to the end of it, 
Avhen I Avas released, and tlie horse's fore feet came down to the 
cround again. The rebels seemed to enjoy my sufferings, but 
otheiAvise they treated me Avell enough. 



A REBEL COLONEL FURIOUS. 245 

My imprisonment was not entirely without its sources of 
amusement. Everything was not tragedy, but I was delighted 
liy occasional comedy. One circumstance, in particular, may be 
worthy of a rehearsal. When they were taking me from the 
Chattanooga jail to Knoxville, I was kept in the depot about an 
hour, awaiting the departure of the train; and as Avas natural, 
the citizens who were lounging around, had a great many ques- 
tions to ask me, and my answers gave them evident satisfaction. 
Two young officers and a lawyer came up and engaged in a con- 
versation Avith me, and attempted to turn my arguments by ridi- 
culing my cause, being particularly severe on Yankee prowess. 
I at once waived all further conversation by remarking that I had 
taken them for gentlemen. They at once whirled away through 
the crowd, exceedingly indignant, and I thought no more of the 
matter, when in a short time in came Colonel Bibb, post com- 
mandant, or provost marshal — I believe the latter, and shouted: 

" Where is that Yankee ? Where is the sergeant of the guard ?" 

"Here I am," said the sergeant. 

"Mr. sergeant," added the Colonel, "if you allow the people 
to talk to that man any more, I will put you in irons, sir ;" and 
then turning to me, with a fierce gesture, he fairly screamed; 
" and you, sir, Mr. Yankee, if I hear another word out of you, 
I will put you in double irons." 

" Crack away, sir," was my response, " there is nobody afraid 
but you." 

He immediately whirled around, and left the depot, trembling 
with rage; and I expected every minute to see a guard come in 
with the irons ; but the train was soon after ready and I was put 
on board. ^ 

When I was in Ledbetter's camp, they put me under a guard 
of eight men in Colonel Stearns' tent, as he was not in camp ; 
and while there, the Major of the battalion came to me and told 
me that General Ledbetter would have me released and commis- 
sioned, and put in command of a company of conscripted men if 
I Avould renounce my cause, and take the oath of allegiance to 
the Southern Confederacy ; but I declined, telling him I would 



246 A REBEL ADJUTANT KICKED OUT. 

rather be a private in the Union army than a Brigadier in theirs. 
He then left me and did not renew the proposition. 

Next morning I was turned over to the provost marshal, and 
put in the guard tent, along with two other men who "wouldn't 
soldier." The Johnnies crowded around to see me, sometimes 
passing into the tent, past the guard, contrary to all order and 
discipline. The Lieutenant of the guard, a fine portly fellow, 
finding that it would do no harm to let them in, came and sat 
down by me on my blanket, in the most social manner possible; 
and Ave passed some time in friendly conversation, when an In- 
dian adjutant forced his way into the tent. He began to boast of 
the prowess of the southern troops and decry the pluck of the 
Yankees, afiirming that the latter would not stand the bayonet. 

" You are a liar, sir," I fairly shouted. He was on his feet 
in an instant, as Avell as myself; he reaching for a pistol, while 
I raised my fist to knock him down. At this juncture, how- 
ever, the lieutenant of the guard stepped between us, and taking 
the adjutant by the collar with one hand, and the seat of the 
pants with the other, raised him on one knee, and tossed him 
headlong out of the tent ; then turning to me, in a good natured 
manner, he resumed his seat and the conversation. 

The men asked me in the presence of this lieutenant how to 
get to our lines, and I told them ; and he then informed me that, 
if I were only outside of their pickets, under his charge, he 
could turn me loose, and go with me to our army, and deliver 
himself up. He then remarked in a whisper : "I'll bet there 
will not be less than fifty of our men leave this camp to-night, 
and go to your lines." 

While I was in this camp, the Major of Stearns' Battalion 
told me that ten of his command had been detailed and sent 
down to Steveson to arrest or shoot me, but that when they 
started toward me, they became frightened, and came back on 
the run. That same day I had shot a rebel near that place, but 
■whether or not he was one of the ten I do not know. He was 
on the run and refused to stop, as I ordered him, and I shot 
him while running, and he sprang as high as a man's head in 



A STRANGE VISITOR. 247 

the air, and fell on his face, when I went back to them, and told 
some citizens where he could be found. 

While at the Chattanooga depot, and after Col. Bibb had threat- 
ened the sergeant so severely, a stout, heavy man, of very pleas- 
ing appearance, came in. He was clad in a plain suit of blue 
homespun, without a single mark or strap to show military au- 
thority. He walked past the guard without a word, apparently 
in search of some one, and then suddenly turning toward me, 
said: "Oh! this is that Yankee, is it ?" and walked directly 
to me and extended his hand in a most friendly manner. 

The sergeant of the guard, without a word, ran at him, seized 
him by the arms, and clasping both of them down to his sides 
with the grip of a vice, he stooped under him, and threw him 
clear across the railroad track. He did not touch the ground, 
till he reached the opposite rail. The man then walked out of 
the depot as quietly as he entered it, but did not utter a syllable. 
After he had left, an officer on the platform said : 

" Do you know who that man was ? " 

" No, I don't," was the surly answer. 

" It was Major General Ledbettcr," said the officer. 

The sergeant dropped his head a moment, when he looked up 
in a resolute way, and said : 

" Well, I don't care a cuss ; I won't be punished for every 
man's misdoin's." 

While on the route to Knoxville, my guard was under the 
charge of the very Indian who had been so unceremoniously 
thrown out of the guard tent for insulting me ; and he now ex- 
hibited all that spirit of revenge inherent in his race. I was 
subjected to every annoyance that his malice or his caprice 
could invent, or he dare inflict. On my arrival at Knoxville, I 
was put in an iron cage in the county jail, and fed twice a day, 
on good bread and beef, and seme seed coffee; and when taken 
out, I was placed in charge of the Eufaula Light Artillery 
from the State of Alabama, and taken to Mobile, and thence to 
Tuscaloosa by railroad, and from there to Montgomery by river. 

While at Selma, I was once more solicited to take charge of 



248 ANOTHER ATTEMPTED BPwIBE. 

a company of rebel cavalry ; and was tendered the influence of 
Gen. McTyre ; the offer of the general being made through his 
son, Avho was the lieutenant in charge of me. 

It would scarcely interest the reader to give a more extended 
account of our sufferings ; and I will only add, that they were of 
the most horrid character, and thousands upon thousands died 
beneath their crushing weight. At Macon, I escaped in com- 
pany with Lieut. Ford, of the 8th Iowa infantry, but was re- 
captured six days afterward, so weak and sick that I could 
scarcely stand alone. Ford was only out one day, when he was 
recaptured, having been run down by bloodhounds. When I 
was recaptured, I was saved from punishment by the adjutant 
of the battalion of guards ; but the lieutenant was ironed, and 
kept in that condition, till sent off to be exchanged. 

While in prison, we owed much to the care and kindness of 
Dr. Ilezekiah Fisk, surgeon of the 8th Iowa infantry, who was 
a prisoner Avith us. 

Wc were sent off for exchange in October, 1862, going by 
Avay of Savannah, Augusta, Columbia, Raleigh, Petersburg and 
Richmond. On the trip we suffered fearfully ; men were left 
dead at nearly every station on the entire route. I finally 
reached my destination safely, and, on the 18th of October, 1862, 
W'as exchan^Ted. The officers on the flarr-of-truce boat, and es- 
pecially the surgeons, exerted themselves to their utmost, to save 
the men ; but a large number had suffered so much that human 
skill was unavailing, and died before reaching Washington City. 
For my part, I was reduced to a mere skeleton, and was sent to 
the Cliffburn Hospital — an institution in the care of the Sisters 
of Chai-ity, and received every attention that could be bestowed, 
until I became well once more. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

ARRIVAL OF WOUNDED FROM FREDERICKSBURG. 

A SHORT time after I was taken to ClifFburne liospital, the bat- 
tle of Fredericksburg was fought, and thousands of wounded 
were sent to Washington, to the different hospitals. Cliffburne 
received its full share, and the Sisters had all that they could 
attend to. They had but few sick men in their care, at that 
time, tlieir patients being generally wounded men. There were 
men with legs off; men with arms off; men with, I might al- 
most say, their heads off; at least, they were minus a large part 
of them. The wounds were made by every kind of missile known 
to the science of gunnery, as well as saber cuts, and bayonet 
thrusts. There were patients who had suffered two and even 
three, amputations, and these wounded men represented almost 
every State in the Union ; indeed, I might say, every nation of 
the earth. There were Americans, Irishmen, Germans, French- 
men, Spaniards, Italians, Austrians, and I believe Danes and 
Norwegians ; but they were all groaning under grievous wounds 
— suffering in a common cause ; all were Yankees now. There 
were men there, who had scarcely been in the country lono- 
enough to know how to ask for a drink of water in English; \et 
Avhose first act on landing in America, was to volunteer in the 
United States Army, to battle for the maintainance of the Gov- 
ernment that had always been an "asylum for the oppressed of 
all nations ;" and whose first initiation into the American ser- 
vice, was to be hurried into a terrible battle, and stricken down 
in death or with painful wounds, to pine away months of patient 
suffering in hospitals. But all that I saw here bore their suffer- 
ings with heroic fortitude. The wounded veterans would spend 
their time in telling stories of battles and adventures ; in reading 
books and papers left for them by charitable or religious per- 



250 WOUNDED IN THE HOSPITAL. 

sons; in dressing their own -wounds, if tlicj were able; or in 
recounting the circumstances under which thej received them. 
Letters from home formed their greatest solace. AVhcn one got 
a letter from home, he would appear like a new^ man — it would 
make him so cheerful. It was astonishing with what devotion 
the Sisters would nurse, and watch over them. Here, in this 
bunk, would be a patient, feeble little boy — a drummer, perhaps, 
who had left his mother and sisters to join the army, and by the 
stirring notes of his drum, to cheer the war-worn soldier, now 
stretched on a bed of suffering, with no mother near to nurse or 
care for him — perhaps, even she did not know where her dar- 
ling was ; but he was faring just as well as he w^ould with her, 
for the Sisters of Charity were hovering over and nursing him, 
supplying every want, and soothing, as far as possible, every 
pain ; there, in that bunk, is a brawny man, wounded by a 
shell ; his injuries are terrible ; perhaps he is fearfully wicked, 
and as he wriths in pain, upon his bunk, cursing his cruel fate, 
at every breath, a Sister's hand smooths down his hardened pil- 
low, and a Sister's voice speaks words of comfort to his soul. 
Perhaps she is repelled with fearful oaths — but only to return 
to him Avhen he is calmer, with redoubled kindness. Here, in 
this ward, is a poor soldier dying. All their loving labors and 
pious prayers have been in vain ; the hand of death is on their 
patient. Perhaps they have watched and cared for months 
over him, and have had great hopes of his recovery ; but now, 
alas! they are called upon to perform the last kind offices for 
him, and consign him to the grave. It is a sad trial to them; 
and as they cluster around the dying man, they tell him of a 
better world, and their pra^-ers ascend to the throne of grace, for 
the welfare of his soul. 

For weeks, they watched my almost hopeless case; for some 
of the Surgeons said I would die; but under their kind treat- 
ment, I rapidly recovered, and was soon able to travel and 
wanted to go to my regiment ; but to pass through the "Gov- 
ernment mill," — would be quite enough to kill me in my weik 
condition, so I applied for a special order. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



AT HOME — FREXCH LEAVE. 



By the aid of Hon. C. A. White, General Wadsworth, and 
General Martindale, I obtained permission to leave Washington, 
and go to Camp Chase, near Columbus, where my company was 
on parole, for they had been captured on the day that I was ex- 
changed — and while at Columbus I took "French furlough," and 
made a visit to my home, where I had a pleasant stay ; but took 
care to report at Camp Chase on "pay day." I was still very 
weak, but improved rapidly, from the time I next "struck" hard 
tack. 

The Surgeon, in Washington, offered me a discharge, if I 
wanted it, telling me I would never be able to do any duty 
again. I refused him, telling him I would soon get well, and go 
to the field again ; and I lived to verify my word, for I have 
done an immense amount of hard service since then. I went to 
the .field again with my company, some time in March,- I860. 
Our route lay by way of the Ohio and Cumberland rivers ; and 
as we landed and remained at the little town of Dover, for some 
time, I had an excellent opportunity to survey the old battle- 
field of Donaldson. The ground was rough and hilly, and ex- 
ceedingly difficult to maneuver troops on; while the fort itself 
stood on a commanding eminence overlooking the river. The 
field was strewn with missiles of all kinds, while the dismounted 
guns, the scarred and fallen trees, and the furrowed earth, ail 
told the terrific struggle that had taken place upon the hills. 

Having no guide, I could learn nothing save what was then 

discernable — such as the respective lines of battle of the two 

armies. Here and there, along the interval between them, would 

be places where the timber was unusually cut up, and the ground 

15 



254 ON DUTY AGAIN. 

terribly torn by artillery, ^Yhile every visible object on the sur- 
face would be riddled with bullets — so many mementoes of vio- 
lent charges under a murderous fire. When we consider the 
almost impregnable position of the enemy, fortified at nearly 
every assailable point with extreme care and skillful judgment, 
the nature of the ground our troops were compelled to charge 
over, the battle of Fort Donnelson must appear to every reader 
of history, as one of the most gallant victories which our troops 
have won during the late long and bloody war. 

In due course of time we arrived at Nashville, and, on landing, 
set out for Camp Stanley, near Murfreesboro; and there we 
found our regiment — the glorious old 4th — sadly thinned in 
numbers, but as full of fight, and as enthusiastic in the cause as 
ever, I missed many a familiar face, and many a voice that 
would have given me a friendly greeting, had it not been hushed 
in death. My comrades gathered around me, and welcomed me 
among them once more ; and now, again, I really felt at home. 
No one knows the deep attachment existing among soldiers; they 
can scarcely realize it themselves, until surrounded by adversity; 
then it is that we feel how devotedl}^ we love one another. 

Company A had not been long in camp before it was put on 
picket; and on this duty we continued for fourteen days under 
command of Lieut. Charles D. Henry, being stationed on the 
East Liberty pike, about two miles from Murfreesboro. For 
several days nothing occurred to mar the even tenor of camp 
life, except that a squad of bushwhackers, five or six in number, 
fired a few random shots at us, which resulted in a quick chase 
and a final escape. 

After this the Lieutenant put me on patrol duty, outside the 
lines, to watch all suspicious points; and while on this duty I 
was one day joined by Lieut. Frank Robie, the Captain's brother. 
We rode out together much beyond my ordinary trips, having 
crossed Cripple creek, and gone about three miles beyond it, 
when we met an old black man riding along the road, apparently 
buried in deep thought. There appeared to be a feeling of calm 
felicity pervading his soul, for it shone out in his face. Such 



A PRAYING DARKIE. 255 

;vere his meditations that he did not notice us till we addressed 
him : 

'' Uncle,'' I asked, after saying how dee? " ain't you a preacher?" 
He raised his eyes, and seeing only a strange officer and sol- 
dier at his side, opened them wide and replied : 
"La, massa, how did you know dat?" 
"We only guessed at it; but what is the news?" 
"Well, marsters," he said, "if I ain't mistaken, you is some 
dem gemmen dey call Yankees, and if you is, I ain't afeard to 
talk to you ; but, Lor', a body does n't nebber know who dey is 
talkin' to now-days." 

" You are right," we responded ; " we are Yankees, and if you 
know anything about the rebs, we want you to post us." 

" Well, mnrster, I is de widdcr Trimble's Willis, an' I is a 
preacher, a Methodist preacher, and last Avinter, on de fust day 
of December, our soldiers cotch me an' whipped me, kase dere 
was one of our boys on the plantation tole 'em dat de widder 
Trimble's Willis prayed for de Union." 

Of course we sympathized with the old man in his persecu- 
tion, but he was not the only one who was persecuted then for 
opinion sake. He then proceeded with " Marster, it jes seems 
to me that you Northern men knows cbcry ting, an' you don't 
seem to be afeard of nuthin' ; why our men would no more 
think ob ridin' so fur frum dere camps dan nuthin' in de Avorld ; 
but gemmen, you is in a great deal ob danger here. You is 
mity close to a big company of oio- men, an' you better be 
keerful, for dey mout do ye harm." 

I asked the old man how far off they were and Avhich way. 
He told me very explicitly that they were near a little town 
called Milton, close by. I told the Lieutenant that I would go 
and see where they were. He went back to the picket post, 
while I thanked tlic old preacher and left him. For awhile 
I wandered around through the brakes and over the hills, 
passed through the town of IMilton, but still saw nothing of the 
rebels. After hunting in vain for some signs of them, I looked 
all around for smoke, but none was to be seen in the timber, 



256 FRIGET OF REBEL PICKET. 

or any place where it was likely that any considerable number 
should hide. The old darkey had reported them at nine hun- 
dred, but added that it was only hearsay with him. I now 
turned off all the public routes and went to searching the by- 
ways, and taking one of these by-roads that led through the 
farms, I made for a little, low gap in the hills, which here rose 
almost to the grandeur of mountains. As I approached the 
gap I discovered two men, one standing on the ground, the 
other seated on his horse. They seemed at a loss- to account for 
me coming on perfectly unconcerned toward them. They 
suffered me to approach within about forty steps, when the one 
that was mounted wheeled his horse, and aimed to run off down 
the opposite side of the gap, but I halted him twice and then 
fired. The shot took effect between the shoulders, just to the 
left of the backbone. He yelled murder twdce in a terrified 
voice, and then fell forward on his horse's withers, while the 
frightened animal rushed madly down the hill. My whole 
attention was instantly devoted to the other man, who was 
mounting and preparing to follow his comrade's example. I 
was afraid he would shoot me while I was reloading my gun, 
which was a Smith & Wesson carbine, but he was too badly 
scared; he never stopped, but went down the hill at a break 
neck pace. I ran to the top of the hill, and behold — just at 
the foot of it were about one hundred and fifty rebels, who had 
been, as I afterward learned, foraging. They were somewhat 
scattered, for when I got my first view of them, they were 
running from every direction for their horses, which were stand- 
in f in a bunch under a strong guard, right where two roads 
crossed. For this point my second man was running. Just as 
he got to it I fired, he being about one hundred and twenty-five 
yards off when I did so, and without looking to see what dam- 
age I had done, I turned in mv saddle and called out, " For- 
ward the Ath\ for\vard the 4Tn Ohio I" then turning upon 
the enemy again, I drew my pistol anS tried it three times, but 
every cap was wet. I then attempted to load my carbine a 
third time, but it got out of fix about the trigger works, and I 



WHIPPING ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY REBELS. 257 

could do nothing with it. All this time the rebels were mount- 
ing, and each fellow as he gained his saddle took the road for 
Auburn without stopping to look back. A few stopped long 
enough to discharge their guns, so that there were perhaps 
fifteen shots fired at me, some of which cut very close, but did 
no damage. One fellow, braver than the rest, walked right out 
in the middle of the road and raised his gun to his face, took a 
long, careful aim, and pulled the trigger, but the gun missed fire; 
the cap bursted clear and loud, but I suppose the powder was 
damp. He broke for his horse then as fast as his legs would 
take him. I thought it was very questionable Avhether my 
friends would ever hear from me again when I saw him taking 
such deliberate aim at such close quarters, as we were so near 
together that I could have counted the buttons on his coat. I 
waited till they all got well started down the road, which was in 
a surprisingly short space of time, and wheeled my horse and 
took the road for Murfreesboro, and there is no mistake about it, 
I rode rapidly. 

As I passed the next house, I saw a woman standing in the 
porch, watching my actions all the time ; but she could not see 
the enemy from where she stood. I told her to tell the rebels, 
when they returned, that there was but one man in the attacking 
party, and that he said he had flogged one hundred and fifty of 
them, and could do it again. 

This fight, if fight it might be called, took place at Hooper's 
Tanyard, two miles from Milton ; and on my retreat, I passed 
through the latter place. Stopping a moment, I called a man to 
me, and gave him the same message I gave to the woman, and 
as I expected pursuit, I made for Murfreesboro, at once, which 
was fourteen miles distant. However, I saw no more of that 
party, though I did see another squad of twenty- six, that did 
appear as if they were after somebody. The fear of a pursuit 
by the first party, gave me a good speed ; and ^he sight of a 
second, caused me to persevere, until I was once more safe within 
our lines. 

1 knew no more about the afi"air at that time, than what is con- 



258 HE IS A LIAR. 

tained in the particulars I have related ; but a party of our cavalry 
soon afterward went out in that vicinity, to scout, and there 
learned that my first shot had killed a picket, and mortally 
"wounded a horse ; and that my second had wounded a man 
severely, and passed through the neck of one horse, and subse- 
quently wounded a second one ; and that the enemy had went 
to the town of Auburn, seven miles distant, without halting, 
or breaking their gait ; and that they deserted a large forage 
train, which I could have destroyed, had I known where to look 
for it; but it was behind a projection of the hill. Lieut. Henry, 
of Co. A, was out on a scout, in the same direction, shortly 
afterward, and the same particulars were learned by him. He 
had a talk with the woman I saw, and she told him that she had 
communicated my message to the men, and that one of them 
exclaimed: "OA, he is a liar, there were but eighty-four of us." 

It w^as big enough, the way he told it; but I must still adhere 
to my original statement, although I could only judge of the 
number by the ground they covered, after they got closed up. 

My next adventure was in Breckenridge's lin^s, at Dry Hol- 
low, not far^from Bradyville. I got inside of his pickets, and 
was taken suddenly sick, and was prostrate a couple of days, 
before I could get out. I think, however, that hunger cured me, 
if anything did, for when nearly famished I was able to travel. 
I was only sent to see if he was still at his old place, in force, 
or if he had skedaddled, and was only making a show of hold- 
ing the position. I succeeded in getting the desired information, 
and in the darkest part of the night, got out of his camp again, 
and made for Gen. Hazen's camp, near Readyville. On the way, 
I stopped at a house near the Readyville and "Woodbury road, 
very much fatigued, and also exceedingly ill, and was waiting till 
ihe people got me some breakfast. While laying before the fire, 
I heard a rapid firing on the Woodbury road, and on going to the 
door, I saw nine men of the Third Indiana cavalry, fighting with 
more than thirty rebels. They were only three hundred yards 
off, and I had no time to get closer, so I stepped behind a tree, 
and commenced firing, with a Spencer rifle. 



WHIPPING A REBEL SQUAD. 259 

The Johnnies held the Indianians very close for two or three 
minutes, and at one time I thought they would all be captured^ — 
there appearing no hope for them against such odds. I was still 
unobserved by either party, and I therefore was enabled to use 
ifiy rifle expeditiously, and accurately. The Johnnies did not 
discover where the cross fire came from, but when they found 
bullets coming so rapidly, from another quarter, they wheeled 
round, and fled in a hurry, several of them being badly hurt, as 
I discovered from the way they rode. When the rebels left, the 
Indiana boys put out for camp, taking with them several articles 
I could see them pick up, although I could not ascertain what 
they were, from where I was located. 

The fight being over, I swallowed my breakfast in a hurry, 
and took to the woods, fearing unpleasant consequences, and was 
soon in Gen. Hazen's camp. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

SCOUT TO WOODBURY — PLAYING REBEL SENTINEL XARROW ESCAPES. 

When I got back to Murfreesboro it was necessary to knoAV 
liow many rebels were at Woodbury, and I went from General 
Itosecrans, under the direction of Captain Swaine, chief of scouts. 
I left our lines at Readyvillc, and went a mile or more, when I got 
an old woman to hide me in her house in a back room, where I 
slept till the moon went down ; and then taking up a branch of 
Stone river, I slipped into the rebel lines without raising the 
slightest alarm. It was only about seven miles by the high 
road, but it was more than ten by way of the creek to my point 
of destination. I kept constantly in the creek bottom, until I 
was nearly opposite Woodbury, when I struck off to the hills 
which surround the town, and from which a full view could be 
had. I got to a good position on a hill, but could not see all that 
w\as going on. I Avaited till day light, in the hope that I could 
then see plainer; but 1 was disappointed in that, and at once re- 
solved to change my quarters to another hill. To do this, I had 
to go down into a valley and walk across it, and then ascend the 
other elevation, in plain view of the reserve picket. I had a 
small glass, and was so near them that I could see the lint on 
their coats very distinctly, and I discovered they were eyeing 
me closely. I walked quickly out into the road, took a position, 
and began to walk a beat, as though I was standing sentinel. 
Presently a spruce looking old farmer came walking along, and 
supposing himself inside the pickets, he moved carelessly, and 
did not stop till the second " Halt," and an unmistakable motion 
of my gun claimed his attention. He seemed very much sur- 
prised to see a guard there, saying: "Nobody stopped me here 
yesterday." 

"Well," said I, "I belong to a regiment which just came in 



ACTING REBEL SENTINEL. 261 

last night, and the officer of the guard put me on this beat and 
told me to stop all persons going into the town unless they had 
proper papers." He at once showed me a pass from John Mor- 
gan's provost marshal, and I told him he was all right, and could 
go on. He was highly tickled at the eulogies I bestowed upon 
him, and before I let him go I managed to draw from him all 
that he had seen in Morgan's camp on the day before. 

When he left, I told him it was probable that I might be re- 
lieved before he came back, but that he Avould find our camp 
just over the hill there, and pointed in an opposite direction from 
that I intended to go. I then resumed my walk upon the beat 
for a minute or two, Avhen I affected to see something suspicious 
on the hill, wdiich I started to go to, and raising my gun as 
though I intended to fire, I aimed at a fancied object; then 
lowering my piece, I pushed rapidly up, while the pickets 
Avatched me intently. 

When on the top of the hill, I stopped again, and looked in- 
tently in the direction of the picket, and then passed around the 
summit with my carbine raised, as though I expected to see the 
object every instant ; till, in a few minutes I turned the point 
of the hill, so they could see me no more, when I ran along the 
side for about half a mile ; then climbing nearly to the top, I 
doubled ray track and ran back, till nearly opposite the picket 
again; then getting down on ray hands and knees, I crawled up 
the hill cautiously, and concealed myself in a hollow log which 
lay on the top. 

I was now enabled to see the rebels in part of their encamp- 
ment, and everything that passed, either on the Readyville road, 
or in Woodbury. It was very early in the morning of a tolerably 
cold day when I got in the log, and by night I was nearly frozen. 
During the day, I heard something running on the dry leaves 
outside, and I immediately prepared for a defense, thinking, per- 
haps, it might be a man who had seen me secrete myself. Sud- 
denly, however, it sprung lightly upon the log and dropped itself 
through the opening right over my face ; it was a coon, but it 
saw the place was occupied, and politely withdrew. Possibly I 



262 DISTURBING REBEL BEAUS. 

was intruding myself into its quarters, but as it did not wait to 
demand any apologies, I offered none. It was large and fat, and 
v,-ould have made a fiimous roast ; but I had to lay still, for my 
neighbors on the hill were vigilant, and had they seen me for a 
second, they would have been after me with a sharp stick, which 
they would have applied without mercy. 

That night I left my log, and took the back track for Ready- 
ville. I went across the country till I had passed the last of 
their picket fires, of which there appeared to be several lines, 
these being formed by Morgan's men, who was conscripting every 
man he could find. I passed very close to some of the posts — 
so near that I' could hear the men talking in a low tone. At 
one place I chased two soldiers out of an old log house, who were 
inside talking to some females. As soon as I discovered they 
were in there, I secreted myself behind the chimney, and began 
"peeping" through the cracks. The fellows seemed to be on 
very friendly terms with the old man and his three daughters, 
the latter being very pretty, and at that time, putting on their 
sweetest smiles. I felt a little anxious to change places with the 
Johnnies about that time ; or, if I had felt entirely assured that 
they would not have became '' unlawful," I would have been con- 
tent to talk to the odd girl ; but that I knew was an impossibility, 
and I dismissed the idea. 

On the table sat a wooden tray filled with cakes, a few of 
which I knew would do me an immense amount of good at that 
time, for I was hungry; and I determined, if possible, to have 
my fill. I, therefore, scrutinized the yard and out-buildings to 
satisfy myself there were no other men there, and glanced 
around to see if any picket fires were in that section ; and find- 
ing all was right, I walked off a few steps, and fired off my gun. 
The Johnnies jumped out of the house, and as they did so, I 
screamed : " Run, boys, run ; the Yankees are on us!" and aAvay 
they went, as fast as their legs could carry them. I fired one 
shot at them as they appeared in the yard, when the women 
connnenced shrieking fearfully, supposing themselves surrounded 
by those horrid Yankees — the terror of all the chivalry of the 



JACK DILL. 263 

South, mule and female. I was so near the rebel pickets that I 
dare not remain long for fear I would get mjself into "busi- 
ness," so I put out for the low ground, and at three o'clock the 
next morning was once more in our lines, where I slept till day- 
light ; after which I proceeded toward Murfreesboro. 

When within about six miles of that town, I was walkins: 
along the hi^h-road, inside our lines, when I saw a party of eight 
or ten men coming down from toward Murfreesboro. Thinking 
they were our own soldiers, I trudged along, confidently expect- 
ing a friendly chat when we met ; but when they got nearer me, 
I discovered they were partly dressed in gray. I, however, still 
could not think they were other than Yankees — perhaps a detail 
of scouts on some breakneck expedition — and I was still expect- 
ing a friendly confab, when I noticed that they stealthily raised 
their guns. That was enough for me, for I knew that they could 
not mistake my character, as I was in full uniform, and under 
arms ; and I sprang through the cedar brake as fresh as if I had 
just started out after a long rest ; the sight of an enemy in 
one's rear generally has a magical effect on the gait even of a 
wearied man, and certainly it materially accelerated mine. 

Running through the densest part of the brake, where they 
could not follow me on horseback, I felt confident of escape, as 
they could not see me before I saw them. I heard them crash- 
ing through the bushes only for a short time, when I stopped, 
after a mile heat in the cedars, exhausted. They were now 
no longer in hearing, and I, therefore, rested myself awhile, and 
then took a route through the brake, that I knew would bring 
me out at old Jack Dill's, within four miles of Murfreesboro. 
Jack was a fair specimen of a backwoods Tennessee Union 
man ; large, sun-browned, and muscular — honest and patriotic. 
He invited me into the house with a hearty welcome, and told 
me of a brush he had had with the rebels the day before; and 
while the old man was recounting his adventures, his pretty 
daughter Jennie set me out a nice dinner, with fresh butter and 
new buttermilk, hot biscuits, and venison steak; and who could 
not enjoy a story under s?/c/i circumstances? 



264 GO AND THREATEN FATHER. 

The rebels had thought to surprise him in his house, and drag 
him oft' to the army; but old Jack was roused by the barking 
of a faithful dog, and took to the brake near his house; and in 
pursuing him, the rebels exposed themselves to his unerring 
rifle, and went back unsuccessful — minus one of their men. 

On returning to the house they vowed vengeance to his 
daughter ; she told them to go and make their threats to her 
father himself; but they didn't go. Old Jack was very proud 
of his gun — a long, full-stocked rifle. Patting it afi*ectionately, 
he said : 

" You see she is so old and is worn so thin, that when I push a 
bullet down her, she strains and swells out her sides, like a snake 
swallowin' a toad ; but, by hokey, I can knock the spots out of a 
secesh yet." 

From Dill's I took the main road to town, and in an hour I waa 
at head-quarters making my report. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
OEX. Stanley's great raid — plating aid-de camp — scouting at harpeth 

SHOALS. 

The next duty I Avas on was when Gen. D. S. Stanley, chief 
of cavalry, made his dashing raid on the rebel camps near Mid- 
dleton, Tennessee. It was a brilliant aflfair, and managed with 
consummate skill. Leaving Camp Stanley late in the evening, 
about the last of March, or first of April, 1863, he led a heavy 
column of cavalry down upon the camps in the vicinity of Mid- 
dleton ; the march being conducted in the night, the darkness 
and dust so impenetrable that a man could scarcely see his file- 
leader ; indeed, the General had to station guides all along the 
route, at cross-roads, to prevent some of the columns from tak- 
ing the wrong way. The Fourth Regular Cavalry had the lead, 
their advance-guard consisting of about twenty men, who be- 
haved most gallantly, driving in the rebel pickets, and throwing 
the first camp into confusion, by an impetuous charge, entering 
it simultaneously with the flying pickets themselves. 

The rebels being taken by surprise, leaped from their beds or 
blankets, without coats, pants or hats, — some, even, without 
drawers. Our men cut and hacked a-way as they advanced, un- 
til the rebels discovered that their assailants were but a handful 
of men, when they rallied, and drove the regulars out of camp, 
with a withering fire which caused our boys to sufi'er severely. 
But. that was only for a moment; Gen. Stanley was almost im- 
mediately upon the enemy with his heavy column, and he swept 
everything before him, by one grand, irresistible, overwhelming 
charge. On and over the terror-stricken rebels, rode Stanley's 
daring men with their flashing blades ; and the Spartan band of 
regulars, being thus relieved from bearing the whole burden of 
rebel fire, rallied again and dashed headlong into the thickest of 
the battle. On and on they sped, and so the first camp was carried, 



266 Stanley's great charge. 

and the second brigade, under tlie gallant Col. Eli Long, rushed 
upon the foe, the ground fairly trembling beneath the mighty 
host of maddened horses, while the air was filled with the clash 
of steel, the rattle of sabers, the hurried fire of the enemy, the 
shouts of the victors, the hoarse commands of officers choked 
with dust, and the groans and shrieks of the w^ounded and the 
dying. Wo to the man, be he friend or foe, who fell on that 
field amid that impetuous charge. He sank only to be trodden 
under foot and crushed to death. 

On rolled another wing of the command under Gen. John 
Turchin, sweeping over all opposition, till it was suddenly fired 
upon from a third camp. But, even here, there was scarcely 
a momentary check. The doughty general raised himself in his 
stirrups, and shouted : 

" Now, boys, ve makes von more scharge" — 

And before the sound of his voice had died away, the column 
was sweeping pell-mell through the camp, among the tents and 
shanties of the enemy. Frightened beyond measure, the rebels 
almost ceased to fight, but threw down their arms, and thought 
only of escape. Our men rushed madly on, after resistance had 
ceased, until recalled by the bugle sound ; after which they re- 
turned in triumph to Murfreesboro, leading with them five 
hundred of the rebels as prisoners of war. 

Every regiment — the 7th Pennsylvania, the 4th Regulars, the 
4th Michigan, the 4th Ohio, and 3d Indiana — all, all, seemed to 
be in their element that morning ; and each member of those 
regiments must ever regard as a proud day in their history, that 
one on which they charged and cleared the rebel camps at Mid- 
dleton. It was a glorious victory to them, and a withering de- 
feat to the enemj'. 

The scene after the fight surpasses all description. The 
ground was strewn with arms and accoutermonts — guns, pistols, 
sabers, cartridge-boxes, belts, blankets, quilts, coverlets, torn 
tents, riddled with balls, cooking utensils, filled with food, mess 
pans, smoking hot, containing cow-peas and bacon ; dead and dy- 
in'^ men — sonic of them cleft, with the dcadlv saber, from crown 



A HDRRID SPECTACLE. 267 

to neck — woumlcd unfortunates staggering about, — some sup- 
plicating for mercj, and others begging to be relieved of their 
tortures by death — some ^Yith bodies so hoof-beaten as almost to 
defy recognition — these were the sights which met our gaze on 
every side, and startled and sickened the hardiest soldier, as he 
gazed at the result of his morning's work. 

Here and there one of our brave boys had succumbed to the 
enemy's fire — but they were fortunately few — and these eno-acred 
our earliest attention ; and while we were attending to these, 
the rebel infantry, encamped two miles away, having been aroused 
by the fighting, came upon us at a double-quick ; but our worthy 
general was not to be caught napping; and, having accomplished 
his object, he recalled his men, mounted them, and returned in 
triumph to Murfreesboro ; but not until the enemy's quarters — 
winter quarters at that — were committed to the flames ; and 
with them were burned thousands of small arms, while hundreds 
of horses were killed, and as many saddles destroyed. This 
raid resulted in almost the complete destruction of the famous 
8th Confederate Cavalry, which bore the brunt of our heavy 
charge. Hundreds of the bodies of men belonging to that com- 
mnnd lay scattered over the field; Avhile many more graced our 
triumph by being led away as captives. Our loss was small in 
numbers, but no man who fell there, could have been well-spared, 
as each was a hero — almost a host. We carried off our dead 
and wounded ; not a strap or buckle fell into the hands of the 
enemy, when they returned again to their old haunts. We shot 
every horse that fell into our hands — even some of our own that 
broke down on the march 

In this fight, I had little in the way of personal adventure, of 
an unusual character — perhaps not so much as occurred to 
hundreds of others on that day. One fellow fired a load of 
buck shot through the right knee of my pants, but in return, I 
worked a new button hole in his coat, with my rifle. Colonel 
Long sent me with an order to Major Dobb, who was in com- 
mand of the 4th Ohio ; and I "lit out," amid the dust, smoke, 
confusion and clatter, in search of the Major, but succeeded in 



268 A BACE FOR LTFE. 

running up to the wrong crowd, and did not discover my mis- 
take till within fifty yards of the rebels themselves. I had 
reached the end of a lane which ran around a ten acre field, and 
come out into another that ran from a house, through a cedar 
brake ; and coming to this last lane, I turned down it to a par- 
ty of soldiers I saw close by. Our men were all covered with 
dust, and almost as grey as the rebels ; and when I saw them, 
I hailed, but they refused to answer me. I hailed them again, 
thinking still that they were our men, and this time rode out 
from behind the fence, in full view of their lines, so that they 
could see my accoutrements ; and instantly a volley from the 
cedar brake greeted me ; and after discharging their pieces^ 
five of the men nearest, charged out after me. 

I was riding a very pretty little mare that I had taken from 
them, when we charged the first camp — my own horse having fal- 
len headlong in the fight, and as I had no time to ascertain the 
cause, I seized the one I was then on, and saddling her in haste, 
mounted her — and she ran past the end of the lane I had come 
down, and then up into the other, so that I was nearly hemmed 
in ; but I wheeled instantly, and dashing back again, gained the 
end of the lane I wanted to follow, about thirty feet ahead of 
them. My mare was as fleet as a deer, and I left them so fast 
that they soon ceased to pursue ; but halting, they kept up a 
steady fire across the field, while I ran around three sides of it, 
and until I was out of their sight behind the friendly cedars. 
I at last found the regiment in another part of the field, up to 
their eyes in a fight, and delivered Colonel Long's order to the 
Major and then retired to the company ranks. It was 
my first attempt at playing aid-de-camp, and I readily reached 
the conclusion that as an occupation, it was not calculated to pro- 
long the natural term of a man's life. 

After my return to Murfreesburro, I went to Harpeth Shoals, 
on special service. Van Dorn was then foraging in that re- 
gion ; and the country was overrun with mauraders. I went 
about leisurely, and called on all the famous guerrillas in that 
section, at their homes. They were chiefly De Morse's men, 



DIXIE NEAR NASHVILLE. 271 

and I spent ten Jays rambling about with them, scouting the 
country daily, from Indian creek to Ilarpeth Shoals, and back 
to some of the many little streams "which flow past into the Ten- 
nessee. I was diguised as a Texas Ranger, and was violently se- 
cesh, of course ; and in this character I was stopping at the 
house of a notorious guerrilla, named Tom Couch. I grew pat- 
riotic during our interview, and boasted of the prowess of the 
Rangers, and expressed my opinion of those who favored the 
Yankee cause, in no very flattering terms ; extolled the devotion 
of those who proved faithful to the South, and abused the black 
hearted Abolitionists of the North, till I got old Tom's "South- 
ern heart" thoroughly "fired," and he could no longer retain 
himself, and he spoke unreservedly : 

"The people of this section have always stood true to the 
South, sir ; we can never be conquered ; never ! never ! 
NEVER! This is Dixie, and a Yankee has never dared to put 
his foot on these hills, although we are only sixteen miles from 
Nashville. If we should even catch one here we would hang 
him instantly. They dare not give us a chance, but keep far 
enough from us. They never can take this rough country ; our 
hills are all free from them, thank God ! " 

Old Tom lived on Pond creek, and there was a Tennesseean, 
an officer in our army, with whom I was personally acquainted, 
whose family were next neighbors to him ; and I told him that I 
was on secret service for Gen. Polk, and that I was authorized 
to give five hundred dollars for the capture of that officer — Dave 
Knight — and his delivery to me on the spot; and he was de- 
hghted to know that the General was after the Lincolnites with 
such earnestness, and promised me every assistance in his 
power. He told me that Gen. R. B. Mitchel had arrested a 
great many men and women, too, and confined them in the pen- 
itentiary at Nashville, to be sent South, or punished as was 
thought best ; and Couch told me very confidontially that Dave 
Knight's wife was to be arrested and taken Smith, to be held for 
retaliation, along with many others. This was news to me, and 
I asked him if I could afford any assistance, and told him if I 
16 



272 A WAR ON WOMEN. 

could, it should be cheerfully given. He then told me that the 
duty had been committed to De Morse's men, and that about 
three hundi^ed of them had crossed Harpeth river, and encamped 
on Dog creek. Telling him that I would go down to their camp, 
I jumped on my horse, and put out. I had been in that region 
the day before, but of that Couch knew nothing; and I was 
aware that there was a high, steep ridge, that I could travel a 
mile or so on, and see everything on Dog creek. I reached the 
hill, and, sure enough, there were the camp fires of the Johnnies. 

After dark I went up the country again, and warned Mrs. 
Knight of her danger, caught her a horse, and took her to Nash- 
ville for safety; and this I had barely time to do, as the rebels 
were ahead of us, picketing every avenue of escape for several 
miles around, in order to catch as many Union people as possi- 
ble ; but had not yet visited her house. She was a very brave 
woman, and buckled on her navy revolver without hesitation, 
and when within a few hundred yards of the rebel pickets she 
showed me a by-road, which she said she knew perfectly, and 
that it would take us throuo-h the hills to Nashville without go- 
ing on the Charlotte pike ; and this path we followed, and reached 
our place of destination about twelve o'clock, in the midst of a 
terrible storm. 

Returning to Murfreesboro, I found orders to report for duty 
in Ohio, and I left camp on the 3d of June, 1863, and arrived in 
Columbus on the 10th of the same month. 



C H A P T E R XX 7. 

AFTER JOHN MORGAN IN OHIO — WAKING TTP THE WRONG PASSENGER. 

My mission to Ohio was a purely military one; but I had only 
one personal adventure, and that was in connection with the 
Morcran invasion. When the famous and fugacious John was 
making his raid, I happened to be at my home in Highland 
county; and as the rebels passed within fifteen miles or less of 
Hillsboro, of course, I sallied out to see what big things I could 
do. Everybody and his son were after him, and why should n't 
I go? Mrs. John A. Smith, a patriotic lady in Hillsboro, kindly 
furnished me a spirited little pony to ride, and in company with 
several of the young men of the town, I started for the scene 
of action, supposed to be near Sardinia. When we had passed 
Mowrytown some distance, we found where the rebels had 
thrown the fences down, as if to accommodate mounted skir- 
mishers, though it might have been to favor their horse-thieves, 
but which of these things I do not pretend to say ; but this put 
us on the alert for straggling parties of the enemy. Sure 
enough, not far from Sardinia, after passing a large body of tim- 
ber, I espied a number of men, about three hundred yards off; 
two of them standing in the road, talking to a man in his shirt 
sleeves, while several others were in the timber. It seemed as 
though all of them had horses, but some were dismounted. 
Well, it was a suspicious case. Eyeing them for some moments, 
I made up my mind that it was a rebel picket post, and so I 
raised my gun, and blazed away. How they jumped ! but they 
started right toward me. At this time the citizens who accom- 
panied me were a little way behind; so throwing up my hand as 
a signal for them to stop, I turned my horse, and started back 
on the jump, attempting to reload my gun at the same time. 
The motion with the gun gave the pony a scare, and with a 



274 ilGHTEfG FOE GLOKT. 

conple (rf" quick side-jnmps to the right, the liule rascal flounced 
me out of the terrapin-shell saddle, and the next thing I knew, 
he "was making his best time back to Mowrrtown. Jumping 
to mT feet, badlv ** stove up" bj the fall, I called out to mj 
comrade* : " Stop that horse I stop that horse I '' but the more I 
haUooed, the faster they Trent, until in a short time they were 
lost in a cloud of dust. 

Thinking the Johnnies were still coming. I bounced over a 
fence, and off through the voods, to a house, and borrowed a 
two vear old colt to ride back MowTytown ; and at the next 
place I came to, I borrowed a saddle of a woman, telling about 
the scrape; and in due course of time I arrived at Mowrytown, 
where I found my pony, bat my comrades, having succeeded in 
stopping their runaway horses, had again pushed on after Mor- 
gan. Hurrving af^er them. I overtook them at Sardinia, and 
leame<i that I had fired on — a lot of citizens ; and that, too, 
within fifteen miles of home. We scoured around till long after 
night, when I and comrade named McKee. succeeded in over- 
hauling them. A couple of darkies, belonging to Morgan's 
commau'l, with horses and equipments, had wandered into a 
settlement of blacks in that neighborhood, and some of the 
citizen3 thought they had been sent as spies, and that some of 
Morgan's men intended to make a raid on the village and carrr 
off some of our black folks into slavery. Xot caring to have 
our black folks re^iuced to servitude, we starte<i after the 
supposed spies, and after a sharp chase, caught one of them, and 
go; both horses; and the other afterward came in and gave 
himself up. The horses belonge-i to Captain Thorpe, of Mor- 
gan's command; and one contraband was his servant. We 
thought we ought to be allowed to keep the horses, which were 
fine Kentucky stock, and so stated our claims to Governor Tod; 
but that hon^t functionary failed to get the matter before his 
obtuse official optics in that light, and so we had to give them 
up. McKee couldn't see the profit of the chase ; but I told him 
that must consist in glory ; that the credit of fighting to ?ave 
the Union, was pay enough for any man. He admitted that 



WILLEfG SOULS. 275 

point, but said, dolefully, that it 'was poor pay. After all my 
running around, however, I did not get to see a Mor«yan man, 
except in the distance. It will hardly be necessary for me. after 
this story, to say that mine was not the party that captured John 
and his command; but we were willing souls, nevertheless. 



CHAPTER XXVI, 

OFF TO THE HIAWASSE IN SEARCH OF STEAMBOATS A FAMILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD 

FEARFUL LEAP — AFFECTING INCIDENT. 

Having performed the duties assigned me in Ohio, to the 
satisfaction of my superiors, I was ordered back to my regiment, 
and on the 7th of August, 1863, I reached it, and reported for 
duty. I found the boys in high glee over the Tullahoma cam- 
paign, which had just been gloriously terminated ; but at the 
same time all were busily engaged in making preparations for 
the advance on Chattanooga. 

I was at once detailed as a scout, to act under Gen. Stanley, 
chief of cavalry ; and under his directions I went up the 
mouth of the Hiawasse river, while the army lay at Winchester. 
The rebels had some steamboats, which Gen. Stanley was 
anxious to get possession of, before they had time to destroy 
them ; and he knew they were laid up somewhere along the 
river, between Chattanooga and Knoxville. 

Starting out afoot from Winchester, I took a road in the direc- 
tion of Cowan's station, and followed it for several miles ; and 
when I thought I was far enough up the country, I crossed over 
on Little Coon, and passed near where I had been taken prisoner 
the year before. On Little Coon I stopped one day to get din- 
ner, and was not long in discovering that the people were " se- 
cesh," and thinking it might be of some advantage, I concluded 
to secede for a few minutes too. As soon as I had established 
the belief that I was a rebel, I inquired for old man Terry, and 
asking if he was still alive ; and the woman of the house answered 
that he was well, adding that he was her brother-in-law. 

"Let me see; didn't he catch a Yank at his house about a 
year ago?" I asked, carelessly. 

"Why, no," she said, "he didn't catch him, himself, but he 



A FRIGIITENEP REBEL. 277 

sent word to Colonel Stearns' men, who were camped close hj, 
and thoy went over to Terry's house and got him." 

" Did you see him, yourself?" I asked. 

" No, I did n't see him, for I Avas a milkin' when they rid by, 
but the gals all seed him ; they said he was a savage lookin' feller." 

"Pretty hard case," I remarked. 

" Yes, the gals sed he had a real " hang-dog" face." 

" How did he behave himself?" 1 asked, for I now remembered 
the place perfectly well ; and also of having seen a couple of 
buxom girls standing in the door, who enjoyed my fallen con- 
dition hugely, and laughed at my being tied on the horse. 

" Why, the gals said he was a sassin* of our men as far as they 
could hear him ; and the gals said ef they had a been in our 
men's place, they wouldn't a took it, for he was as black as any 
nigger." 

"Did the Yanks ever find out that Terry had him captured?" 

" Oh, la, yes ; and they sent a power of their men thar, and 
took off nigh about everything the old man had." 

"What did our men do with the Yank?" I asked. 

" Why, we did hear," said the garrulous old woman, " that our 
men took him off down to Chattanooga and hung him ; and then 
we heard again he had got away from our folks ; ever since Terry 
heard that, he 's been mighty oneasy, for the Yankee soldiers 
that took his truck away, said our men couldn't keep him, and 
if ever he got back, he would be jest as sure to kill Terry as ever 
he set eyes on him again." 

" Well, I reckon the old man would rather he had n't have had 
anything to do with it, in that case," said I. 

" Oh, la, yes ; for the Yankees liked to have broke him up for 
it; they driv ofif every cow and every hoss creetur he had, be- 
sides he 's afeared the feller will git back some time." 

" How far does Terry live from here ?" I asked. 

" About two miles and a half," she replied, adding in the same 
breath; "La, it would be mighty bad ef he should happen to git 
killed oif and leave all them pore little children without anybody 
to take keer of them " 



278 LADIES IN HYSTERICS. 

"Do you remember that Yankee's name?" I inquired. 

*' Well now, soldier, I did heaa' it, but rally I have forgot it; 
gals — Virginny — docs ary one of you gals remember what that 
Yankee's name was that got taken over at your uncle Terry's, 
last spring, a year?" 

" Virginny" now appeared in the door of the sitting room, and 
no sooner did her eyes light on me, than she gave a sort of ter- 
rified start, and retreated to the innermost recesses of the kitchen. 

''La, gal, Avhy don't you tell a body!" said the old woman; 
"'■ Virginny, do you hear?'' 

Thinking I would see a little fun with the old woman, I said, 
solemnly: "Madam, I am the man." 

" La, bless my soul an' body," she said, and sinking into a 
chair, she burst into tears. 

" Don't be alarmed, madam," I said, "I do n't intend to hurt 
any of you ; and you may tell Terry for me, that he need not be 
afraid that I will hurt him, although he caused me six long months 
of imprisonment, and I nearly lost my life by it. You can tell 
him t|iat I will spare him for his children's sake, and not because 
I do not think he deserves punishment. Tell him to stay at 
home and take care of his children, and I will see that the Fede- 
ral soldiers do not molest him." 

The young ladies made their appearance at this time, to soothe 
their mother's agitated feelings, when I bowed to them, and with 
excessive politeness said : 

" Ladies, I wish you a very good day." 

Finding that there was a considerable force of rebel cavalry 
on Little Coon, I concluded to go back on top of Cumberland 
mountain, and travel along it until I got out of danger of fall- 
ing in with them, and I accordingly changed my route. 

Not a great distance from Cowan's station I was going down 
through a long, narrow, and very crooked pass in the moun- 
tains, wdien I heard ahead of me a great deal of chopping. 
None of our men were in the country, so I concluded, as there 
were too many axes going for the chopping to be citizens, that the 
enemy nmst be up to some " dirt." Clambering to the top of the 



SURPRISING WOODCIIOPPERS. 279 

mountain, I followed along it till I came to a projecting spur, 
which I followed out and presently stood on the edge of the 
bluff, almost over the cause of my alarm. At the foot of the 
mountain was a party of rebel cavalry — home guards, as I sup- 
posed — who had about fifty darkeys chopping down trees across 
the road, thus effectually blockading the gap at a place where 
it could not possibly have been seen until turning this short 
spur that projected into it. It did n't require much soldier sense 
to tell what that meant. They Avere fixing a trap for our 
cavalry, or some other body of troops that they were perhaps 
expecting to pass that Avay. The thing had been well considered, 
and would have been a serious obstacle to any body of troops, 
at that point, for a few sharp-shooters deployed along the sides 
of the mountain could have then defended it against a lar^e 
force. There were about twenty rebs guarding, and fifty dar- 
keys at work. The Johnnies were scattered about among the 
choppers, urging them to their utmost exertions ; while right 
at the end of the spur were their pickets — three in number — 
but I was now behind them. After surveying the condition of 
things, I saw that I was perfectly safe from them, for the sides 
of the mountain were very steep, and I could kill every white 
man there before they could climb up to me ; and as for the 
blacks I did not fear them. They had not fallen many trees up 
to that time, so I thought I would file my objections to the 
whole proceedings, and selecting a good position behind a huge, 
craggy rock, I picked out the most prominent man, who was a 
portly fellow, in his shirt sleeves, riding about among the dar- 
keys, whip in hand. He rode a fine, light gray horse, and was a 
splendid target. He was about four hundred yards off and 
"down hill," and knowing that a "down hill" shot is apt to 
carry over, I pulled right on the horse's rump, as he was going 
straight from me. A puff of Avind raised the smoke from my 
rifle, and I could see Avhen the ball struck. It must have missed 
the man entirely, for the horse reared almost straight on his 
hind feet, and gave a terrific bound, which tumbled the rider 
out of his little old "terrapin shell" saddle upon the rocks so 



280 WHO FIRED THAT SHOT? 

violently, that lie must have been severely injured, for some of 
the negroes ran to him and helped him up, "while several of the 
"\\hite men caught and brought back his horse, -which -was bleed- 
ing profusely from a point in the middle of the right hip. 
"While this was going on, every thing was in the highest state of 
excitement. The soldiers ran together, looking in every direc- 
tion, in the wildest alarm, and every darkey ceased chopping 
instanter. One fellow, who Avas much closer to me than the 
others, bawled out at the top of his voice : 

"Who fired that shot ?" But he received no answer save the 
echo of his own voice ; but determined to know, he raised him- 
self in his stirrups, and bawled louder than ever : 

" I say, who fired that shot ? " but he still received no answer. 

By this time my gun was loaded, and I took good aim at him, 
and fired, just as the word " shot," " shot," "shot," was echoing 
among the hills ; and without waiting to see the effect of it, I 
sprang upon the rock, in plain view of them, and began to order 
an imaginary comrade to " run back and tell the regiment to 
'hurry up,'" and then turning, with my gun loaded, I sent 
another shot whizzing among them, at the same time ordering 
some skirmishers to come down from the opposite ridge, and 
close in with the rebels, accompanying my speech with a 
violent gesture, as though pointing right at my supposed friends. 
I then fired a third shot and raised a loud " hurrah boys, and 
we '11 surround 'em," when the Johnnies fled in the wildest con- 
fusion, hardly taking time to help their comrade to mount his 
wounded horse, which was almost unmanageable. As the cav- 
alry was speeding down the pass, and the darkeys were shuf- 
fling after them, I ran back up the mountain, and descending it, 
climbed the opposite side and kept on my journey, following 
the top of the ridge the rest of that day, and also on the follow- 
ing night and the next day until about nine o'clock in the 
morning, when I was suddenly startled by the sound of horses' 
feet coming behind me. I stepped behind a tree and listened, 
and discovered there were several of them. 

A spur put out ahead of me from the main mountain, and I 



A FEARFUL LEAP. 



281 



;liought if I would run out on this, they could not see me, and 
yould ride past. The timber was very open, and I was disap- 
)ointed ; for, in coming around a bend in the road, they ob- 
ierved me just as I arrived on the brink of the mountain, which 
yas very steep. There was about a dozen of them, well-mounted ; 
md they came upon me as fast as they could run through the 
;imber ; but they necessarily had to ruu up to the place where 
[ turned off to gain the top of the spur, to follow me, and this 
^•ave me time, and I improved it by scrambling down the steep 
sides of the mountain, very fast ; but I presently came to the 
;op of a cliff, about three hundred feet high. This looked like 
I bad chance for escape, but, turning along it to the right a few 
lundred yards, I again found a place where I could descend 
;ome distance ; but was then once more stopped by another cliff 
^'hich projected out like a shelf. Below the right-hand end of 
;his cliff, a huge hickory tree was growing, and its shaggy top 
just reared itself above the shelf on which I stood, the trunk 
Deing about eight feet from the edge of the cliff. There was no 
;ime to lose, for already I could hear my pursuers clattering 
3ver the rocks above me, and once I heard a saber jingle ; there- 
fore, running to this tree, I looked over the giddy hight, then 
slung my rifle across my back, and leaped out headforemost with 
aJl my strength. I grasped the body of the tree with my arms 
and succeeded in holding, although the weight of my heavy ac- 
eouterments almost jerked me loose again. Sliding rapidly 
clown the tree, I lit on another bench in the mountain, from 
which I made my way down into the bottom of a deep ravine. 
When I got down to the foot of the tree, my clothes were 
badly torn, and great slivers of hickory-bark were sticking 
through them in every direction. My hands, arms, and breast 
were bleeding profusely from several wounds, cut by the rough 
bark. When I struck the tree the breath was nearly knocked 
ed out of me, and it required all my strength to hold on. I was 
now safe, and never saw nor heard of my pursuers again. I 
followed this, to the bottom of the mountain, and just as I got 
to the mouth of the ravine, I saw a man raise his head up from 



282 NO, NO, YOU SII\LL NOT GO. 

behind a log, so that I could just sec the rim of his hat. Sup- 
posing, of course, that no one but a bushwhacker "would be 
caught in such a suspicious place, I pulled down on him with 
my Spencer-rifle and took a careful aim right on the center of 
his hat. I was not more than fifty yards from him, and was 
just closing my finger on the trigger, when I saw a woman's 
bonnet raise up beside the hat, when I noiselessly lowered my 
gun, and stepped behind a tree and waited to see what this could 
mean. Presently, a fine, athletic man raised up, as straight as 
an Indian : thouo;h he seemed to be laboring under the most in- 
tense excitement. His hands were clenched, and his eyes were 
fiercely glaring with passion. The next moment, a woman stood 
up beside him, and set a little bucket on the log, at the same 
time weeping bitterly ; and as she strove to restrain her tears 
with her little white hands, her bonnet fell back upon her should- 
ers, and exposed a beautiful face of dazzling fairness, and feat- 
ures of perfect regularity. The man raised his right arm in an 
excited manner, and, instinctively, I clutched my trusty rifle, 
and the thought flashed through my mind, "if you strike that 
woman you are a dead man;" but, before I had time to give it 
utterance, the woman, throwing her arms around his neck, fell 
sobbing upon his breast, locked in his loving embrace. Great 
God! how" deeply my soul was agitated as I remembered how 
nearly I had come to rashly firing, when the man first raised his 
head from behind the log ! What an escape from shedding in- 
nocent blood, and bringing a blighting, overwhelming sorrow 
upon that beautiful woman, who was now clinging so aff'ection- 
ately to him ! While I was thanking God that I had not fired, 
the woman's voice broke upon the still mountain solitude, and 
she gave utterance to her frantic grief: 

" Oh, Henry, my love, you must not, shall not go. They shall 
not take you from me, and drag you away to fight a people who 
have never harmed us ; perhaps to be killed, or thrown into a 
cruel prison ! No, no, you shall not go ; I will feed you here in 
these mountains as long as I live, before they shall take you 
from me." and she nestled closer to his manly bosom. 



THE patriot's VOW. 28S 

Raising his hand again, as before, he replied : " Suzie, Suzie, 
I will not leave you; no, I will not leave you; but I will hover 
around our home, and watch over you and Willie as long as I 
can; but if the worst comes, and I must fight, so help me God! 
I will fight for the Union of the States as long as God lets me 
live." His voice, although choked with emotion, was deep and 
manly, and sounded through the solemn stillness of the forest 
until the awakening echoes of the great mountain caught up 
and repeated the " patriot's vow." 

His loud, excited tones seemed to rouse a little child, that had 
been sleeping behind the log; for pretty soon I heard "luam- 
ma," in childish accents, and then a little, bright-eyed, chubby- 
faced boy, about three years old, ran out from the log, and 
caught his father with infantile affection; and winding his little 
arms around his parent's knees, he looked wonderingly up at his 
mother, and said, in a pleading voice: "0, papa, don't go!" 
The man laid one hand fondly on the child's head, and the wo- 
man raised herself from his breast, and taking the child up, said 
to it: "Willie, kiss papa." 

As the child stretched out its arms, and put up its little 
mouth, I stepped from behind my tree, and advanced toward the 
group. At first they were startled at my footsteps ; but when 
they saw it was a Yankee soldier, they were reassured, and 
gave me a cordial greeting. The man then told his wife it 
was time for her to go home; and bidding her to "take the 
soldier to the house, and give him his dinner," he turned up in 
the mountain gorge, while the woman led the way out into the 
valley to her dwelling — a neat little log house; and in a few 
minutes she laid before me an elegant supper; and although it 
was the last of August, the heat was scarcely felt in this cool 
retreat. 

I have forgotten this man's name; but, if I remember rightly, 
he was a son-in-law of old man Russell, who lived in the head 
of Dorin's Cove, where I staid that night. He had been com- 
pelled to hide out in the Cumberland mountains for several 
months, to keep from being dragged away to the rebel army; 



284 UNFULFILLED PROMISES. 

and his wife told me how she had to take his provisions to him, 
and that even her steps were watched. That she often carried 
his food to the mountains in the back of her bonnet, and laid it 
in some place where he could find it; but that sometimes he 
would be two or three days without food. 

I was once almost tempted to ask the old man Russell if he 
did n't want another son-in-law, for he had a second good looking 
daughter, whose admiration for Yankee soldiers was only ex- 
ceeded by her devotion to the cause of the Union. She complained 
bitterly that their part of the confederacy was not able to afford 
her a pair of shoes, although she had offered fabulous prices in 
gold for them, and I, therefore, promised to bring her a pair the 
next time I came that way; but this is not the only promise of 
this sort that I have left unfulfilled in that country. Of course, 
at the time they would be made, I would mean it; but I seldom 
saw the parties a second time. 

After passing a pleasant night at Russell's, I made my way 
to Bridgeport just as Gen. Lytic arrived there. He had some 
important service to do in scouting through the mountains after 
some bushwhackers, who were harboring in the country from 
Little Coon up to Widow's creek. Having been in that region 
before, I knew just where their hiding-places were, and, of 
course, we soon routed them, and I pursued my tedious journey 
in quest of steamboats. While scouting for Lytle, I was intro- 
duced to Gen. Sheridan, who was then a division commander; 
and he then told me that the service was for him, and that he 
would see me handsomely rewarded ; but the General, I suppose, 
has never had a chance to fulfill his promise, for I have not seen 
him since. 

However, it makes no difference, for soldiering, like virtue, 
must be its own reward. The rebels having taken all the water 
craft to their side of the Tennessee, General Lytle made a de- 
tail of men to dig out a canoe in which I could cross the river. 
It was made in the night, and early next morning I put it to a 
wood use, running over to the island opposite Bridgeport, and 
catching a Johnny for the General. 



CATCHING A REBEL. 285 

The reprobate, not knowing that the Yankees had a boat of 
their own, had paddled defiantly down the river before Lytle's 
headquarters, when the General said : "Pike, go and fetch that 
man to me ; can't you catch him in your boat ? " "You just 
watch the race if you do n't believe it," said I, and away I went, 
and soon had the Johnny standing in the presence of the Gen- 
eral ; and like all the rest of the secesh clan that ever I caught, 
he exhibited the most abject humility. 



CHAPTER XXriI. 

AFTER STEAMBOATS AGAIN — A MOUNTAIN NYMPH — BOB. TTHITE, THE UNION 

BUSHWHACKER. 

Leaving Bridgeport, I once more was off on my steamboat 
exploits, and as I was crossing over Walden's ridge, about fifteen 
miles below Chattanooga, at the top of the "cut off" I heard 
a very long, and loud scream, or more like an exultant yelL 
Thinking of nothing but bushwhackers in that locality, I "treed" 
instanter, and stood with my gun at a "ready*' to fire on any sus- 
picious object. Soon the sound of a horse's feet, coming almost 
toward me at a run, roused me to renewed vigilance, that I 
might get the first shot ; for I made sure it was some rebel cav- 
alryman. I was not kept long in suspense, however, for in a 
few seconds a magnificent horse bounded into view, mounted by 
a beautiful young woman, who was riding "man fashion," or, as 
the little boys say, "astraddle," utterly unconscious of observa- 
tion. Her long, brown hair was streaming in the wind, as she 
was without bonnet or shawl ; her short sleeves and low necked 
dress, left a beautiful neck, plump arms, and a voluptuous bosom, 
partially, but not immodestly exposed, while the skirts of her 
dress being drawn up by her peculiar position on the horse, ex- 
posed limbs perfect in development, and of dazzling whiteness. 
She was singing, in a clear musical voice, snatches of some song 
which she occasionally stopped, to give a shrill whoop at a half 
wild cow she was driving before her, at a fearful rate through 
the thick timber. She rode her horse with a fearless grace, and 
a firm hand, guiding the spirited beast by a rope halter turned 
into a loop around his nose. She soon vanished from my view, 
to the left, following a well beaten trail which I was confident 
must lead to a house. So quick did she come and go, and so 
beautiful did she appear, galloping away through the green 



A MOUNTAIN NYMPH. 289 

Avoods with such a Iiappy gracefulness, and fearless air, that I 
could almost imagine that I had seen a real nymph of the moun- 
tain. 

Following the trail she took, in about a mile and a half I 
came to a house. A panting horse, of magnificent proportions, 
had just been turned loose in the yard to graze, and I instantly 
recognized it as the one I had seen careering so proudly through 
tho woods with the fair rider. I at once went to the house, and 
at the door was welcomed by a pleasant looking matron, who in- 
vited me in, and treated me with much civility, as soon as I told 
her that I was a Yankee soldier and wanted lodgings. Soon 
after, the fair equestrienne came in with a bucket of milk on her 
head, "nigger" fashion. There was no poetry in that, it is true; 
but she was really very pretty, and as she placed her bucket of 
milk on the table, the elder woman addressed her : 

"Eliza, here is one of our soldiers come to see us at last." 

Then turning to me, she said : 

"Stranger, what is your name ?" 

rtold her my name and regiment, and asked what her hus- 
bana's name was, and judge of my astonishment when she an- 
swered "Bob White" — he whose patriotic eiSbrts in behalf of the 
Union, were a theme of admiration far and wide, in that section 
of Tennessee. He was what the rebels called a Yankee bush- 
whacker, and Avas a great terror to small bands of rebel cavalry 
who had to pass any where through the Sequatchie valley. He 
had about thirty men under his command, and sometimes could 
raise as many as sixty, on special occasions. 

"^Yliile my hostess was preparing supper for me, she and her 
sister Avere full of curiosity to hear from the north, and especially 
what our expectations were in regard to the rebellion, and our 
hopes of maintaining the Federal Union. I gave them the best 
satisfaction I could, consistent Avith duty; and they were much 
pleased to hear that our numbers Avere so great, and our army 
s: well appointed, and expressed the most encouraging hopes of 
our final succe&-5. 

Supper dispatched, I went to bed, as I was very tired. I had 
17 



290 UNTIMELY DISTURBANCES. 

just got well off on a scout to the land of dreams, when I was 
aroused by the sound of horse's feet. The reader will under- 
stand that on these trips I never undressed, and sometimes slept 
Avith all my accoutrements on. The two women had put me to 
sleep in a room separated from theirs by an entry; and at the 
sound of horses, I sprang out of bed and bounded noiselessly to 
the door and tried to open it quietly ; but lo ! it refused to open; 
and on stooping down and peering through the crack between 
the door and the wall of the cabin, I found it was fastened b}^ a 
strong chain, which was passed through a hole in the door, and 
around the facing between the logs, and was locked on the outside 
with a strong padlock. There was no time to lose, so turnino 
to the window — a single sash, held in by two nails, — I broke the 
latter off, and laying the sash on the bed, I jumped out on tht; 
ground and ran behind the house as the men hailed the inmates 
at the front door ; and peering around the corner, I discovered 
a large squad of rebel cavalry; Mrs. White answered them at 
the door. 

" Was there a man passed here about dark, afoot and dressed 
in Yankee uniform ?" they inquired. 

" Why, yes, there was," said Mrs. White ; " he stopped at my 
house, and got his supper, about dark, and as soon as he was 
done his supper, he left to go the ' cut off' way to Chattanooga." 

" Who did he say he was ?" was next asked. 

" Why, he told us that he was a Georgian, and that he was 
going home." 

" You say he went the ' cut off?' " said the officer, interroga 
lively. 

" Well, now, I don't know for certain that he did go that way, 
but he told us that he was going by the ' suck,'' and, of course, 
he would be obliged to go the 'cut off'" from here." 

With a polite " Thank you, madam," the officer rode away, 
followed by his men, some twenty in number. Waiting to sec 
the last of them disappear over the brow of the mountain, I crept 
back through the Avindow and replaced the sash again, and was 
soon sound asleep. Nothing more occurred to rouse me till 



AT A UNION BUSHWHVCKER's. 291 

midnight, except that one of the women opened the door cau- 
tiously, and looked in, I suppose to see if I had been disturbed. 
I feigned to be asleep, and she closed the door and locked it 
again. Near midnight, I was again awakened by the sound of 
approaching horses ; and as they halted at the door, I again re- 
moved the sash, and jumped out of the window. This party 
hallooed and Mrs. White asked : " Who 's there ?" and one of the 
men answered: " Mack." 

I peeped around the log house again, and discovered eight 
resolute men, all well mounted, and armed to the teeth. 

" Is that you, McArthur," said the woman. 

" Yes, come out a minute," he said. 

She hastily dressed herself, and throwing a shawl around her 
shoulders, went fearlessly out to see them. Their conversation 
was carried on in a low tone — so low that I could only catch a 
few words now and then. 

" We heard of him down at the ifoot of the mountain," they 
said presently, in a louder tone, as if to end an argument ; 
" Well, tell him to come out here, we want to see him." 

" Oh, boys, let him sleep," pleaded the woman, " for I know 
he's tired ; besides, I am certain he is a Yankee, for he was 
talking to me and Eliza, until he got so sleepy he couldn't hold 
his head up." 

" Oh, there are a heap of men claims to be Yankees now," 
said Mack ; " tell him to come out." 

I now walked out to them, for I was certain they were some 
of Bob White's men. They were very frank, telling me their 
suspicions ; but I had no trouble in satisfying them that I was 
all right, and a friend ; and then, after inquiring of the woman 
whose company of rebels it was that had passed, the whole party 
rode on in the same course they had gone. 

This party had a good looking young woman with them, who 
was piloting them over in the valley, to catch a notorious guer- 
rilla, by the name of Pickett ; and the men vowed they would 
hang him if they caught him. When they had gone away, I 
asked Mrs. White what made her lock me up in the room : 



292 REBELS SHOOTING AT WOMEN. 

" T\Tiy, you- know," she said, "in these troublesome times a 
body never knows who they can trust ; and you know we had no 
men folks about the house, for Bob is gone over the river, on a 
scout for Gen. Rosecrans.'" 

I now got alonir without further disturbance till next mornin;j;, 
when, after a good breakfast I resumed my journey, feeling very 
grateful to my generous hostess, who refused pay almost indig- 
nantly. 

At the mouth of .Soddy creek, is a place called Penny's Ford. 
The rebels were picketing on the south bank, and on the north 
lived a very old woman, named Martin, in a house entirely 
alone. Some of our prisoners, who had escaped from the south 
side of the river, crossed over at Penny's Ford, and the old lad^ 
had fed and secreted them, till they got strong enough to travel. 
Of this the Johnnies had heard, and to show their chivalry, ] 
suppose^ would amuse themselves by shooting at her. It Avas at 
long range — about nine hundred yards — and to have hit her, 
would have been mere accident. Every time she showed her- 
self, they would vault a ball over, more, probably, to see the old 
woman run, than with any other object in view. She stood out 
nobly, for several days ; but, finally, one time, while sitting in 
the door of the cabin, knitting, a ball struck the door facing, 
about four inches from her head, and this so frightened her, that 
she closed her house, and went to live with the old man Penny, 
where I heard her relate her story. 

I went down the river bank, and halloed across the stream, 
to the Johnnies, who immediately answered ; and one of them, 
bolder than the rest, ran down to the edge of the water and 
asked what I would have. Without answering his question, I 
fired a shot at him, from my rifle, putting my sight up to eight 
hundred yards. It seemed a long time going, but presently the 
rebel stooped to dodge the whistling bullet, and I saw that Iliad 
over shot ; so I aimed again, and discharged my piece, holding 
this time full on his head. He was standing erect when I did 
so, holding to a willow bush, with his left hand, and his gun in 
his right ; and after a long time the ball reached its destination. 



SKIEMISniNG ON MY OWN HOOK. 293 

and I liati the satisfaction to see the Johnny tumble headlong on 
the sand, his gun flying several steps from him. I then had it 
hot and heavy for a while. ^ His company, concealed by the 
woods on their side, made the balls rattle on the bank where I 
was, cutting the trees up cruelly, but doing no further harm, 
for I was hidden in a deep ravine where I was perfectly safe ; 
and from which I could fire on them leisurely, whenever I got a 
good " sight." 

After having my own fun with them for an hour, I took the 
road to Colonel CliflFs', on Sail creek. He was a Colonel in our 
army, and I was told, at one time was on General Burnside's 
staff. He was at that time away from home, on duty ; but I was 
hospitably welcomed by his family. I stopped here for two or 
three different nights, on the last being hunted out by fifteen 
or twenty rebels ; I fortunately, however, received notice of their 
coming before they got in sight of the house, and moved my 
quarters promptly. 

While in that part of East Tennessee, I was fortunate enough 
to hear a real, heartfelt sermon, preached in favor of the Union ; 
and the services were closed with an ardent prayer for the Presi- 
dent of the United States, his advisers and counsellors; for Con- 
gress and the success and welfare of our armies in the field. 
There was no milk and water, nor soft solder about it ; but it 
was a real old fashioned, upright, square-toed Union sermon. 
The preacher was an old, white-haired man, and his crowded 
congregation were, for most part, of venerable age. The meet- 
i'ng took place after night, and as there was danger of it being 
disturbed or broken up by straggling rebels, I was invited to be 
present. Every man was armed; and this meeting took place in 
a country where some men say there were no Union men ! 

From this neighborhood I went to Chattanooga, which was 
now being invested by the army of the Cumberland. On the 
north side of the river was Colonel Wilder's famous bricrade, and 
I reported to the Colonel, and was sent by him with a dispatch 
to Bridgeport, where General Rosecrans was supposed to be. 
I had walked since morning from above the mouth of Soddy 



294 OVER THE RACCOON MOUNTAINS. 

creek, a distance of tliirty-three miles ; and the same evening I 
started from the camp before Chattanooga, to Bridgeport, a dis- 
tance of fiftj-four miles, over a rough mountain road. At 
BridgejDort I found the General, and reported to him, and learned 
that the cavalry were a long way in the advance of the infantry, 
and that it would be impossible for me to overtake them ; so, 
after receiving orders to '• knock around loose," I put out over 
E-accoon mountains. These mountains are the lower or southern 
range of the Allagheny mountains, and are high, steep and rug- 
ged, while lower down the country, they are called the Sand 
mountains. It is a ridge of a very irregular shape, and extends 
from a point where the Tennessee forces its way between it and 
Walden's ridge, on the north side, to Blountville, Alabama. Its 
many recesses and deep forests have always made it a constant 
place of resort for bushwhackers. In it is the celebrated Nicka- 
jack cave, one of the largest in the United States. Over this 
mountain a part of the army had already toiled, and the read 
was strewn with wrecks of wagons, splintered wheels, broken 
harness, crippled horses left to die, and poor broken down men 
who were unable to keep up in the impetuous march that would 
allow of no delay. On they were toiling over the mountain to- 
ward Trenton, in the hope of overtaking their commands at that 
place; but I fear it was a vain hope for some of them, for they 
seemed very much exhausted. 

Trenton is a small town in Georgia, and is the county seat of 
Dade county. It is situated in a fine valley between Raccoon 
mountain on the west, and Lookout mountain on the east; and 
the valley is watered by Lookout river, and several creeks. 
Here General Reynolds was encamped, and I slept there till 
morning, and then pushed on for the advance. I passed Sheri- 
dan's division, and the next was General Negley's command. 
Learning from General Lytic, of Sheridan's division, that Gene- 
ral Negley was to lead the advance, I concluded to report to 
him for duty, and found his division encamped on Lookout river, 
in the valley between Lookout and Raccoon mountains, at the 
foot of Johnson's crook, a narrow and meandering defile that led 



TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTRY. 295 

up the precipitous sides of Lookout mountain to Stevens' gap. 
It was a terrible undertaking to put an army up into that gap, 
as a handful of men might defend it against a host. It was held 
by Wharton, with a Division of cavalry, mostly Texans ; and 
!Ncgley was to scale the mountain with his Division and take 
possession of it. General Stanly was hovering on the enemy's 
communications far down in Georgia, in the neighborhood of 
Alpine, Broomtown, and other points, almost, and at one particu- 
lar time, quite in rear of Lafayette; and at the same time. Gen. 
McCook, with his corps, was toiling over Lookout at Niels' gap, 
between the cavalry and Thomas' corps and Stevens' gap, his being 
the right of our infantry. Reynolds crossed over with his Division, 
if I remember rightly, at Doherty's gap, while Crittenden's corps 
moved up the railroad around the north end of the mountain, and 
Genral Wagner continued to threaten Chattanooga in front with 
Wilder's and Minty's brigades of cavalry. Chattanooga lays in 
the wide end of a Y, formed by Lookout on the west, and Pigeon 
mountains on the east ; the north end of Lookout rising about 
one mile and a half from the Avest side of the town. Pigeon 
mountain is a spur of Lookout, which projects itself over to the 
Tennessee, about four miles east of Chattanooga. For about one 
half its length, it retains the name of Pigeon mountain; while 
the north end of it is called Missionary Ridge, In the Pigeon 
mountains are three gaps, besides the one right at its junction 
with Lookout, the most southern of which is Bluebird gap, the 
middle being called Dug gap, while the most northern is known 
McCowan's gap ; and the intermediate valley between these two 
mountains is named Maclamore's cove. It is, at Dug gap, about 
nine miles wide, running to a point at the south end, while at 
the north end, at Chattanooga, it is about five and a half or six 
miles in width. The railroads runnino; from Chattanoo^-a to 
Knoxville and to Atlanta, pass through Mission Ridge at the 
north end; after which one keeps on up the Tennessee to Knox- 
vile, while the other turns down on the east side of the rido-e to 
Lafixyette, the first point to which the enemy was compelled to 



296 PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. 

retreat, and -wliich is situated about six miles east of Dug gap, 
bearing a little south. 

The reader will bear in mind that I knew nothing of the plan 
of the campaign, beyond what was developed on the field, and 
what was patent to all. I had passed in two days from our left, 
near Cottonport, Tenn., where I saw a part of Minty's brigade, 
of the 2d Division of cavalry, down to Chattanooga, where was 
Colonel Wilder's famous brigade, with General Wagner, and some 
force of infantry and artillery, busily engaged in shelling the 
place; thence to Bridgeport, where the commanding General 
was with a few troops, just preparing to go to Trenton, then al- 
ready in the hands of Reynolds' Division; I also passed the Sod 
Ohio on the opposite side of the river, and saw Crittenden's 
troops ferrying the stream about the mouth of Battle creek ; and 
from the top of Raccoon beheld the most of our center and right 
encamped opposite the respective gaps, where they were to scale 
Lookout mountain, and from whence they were to be hurled like 
an avalanche down, down from the giddy bights of that cloud- 
capped range in resistless columns into the valley, where they 
were to deploy in line, and sweep across upon the unprotected 
flank of the enemy, Avho were then in full retreat. The plan was 
certainly projected by a master mind, and had it been properly 
executed, would have proven the death blow of Bragg's army. 
After having gained his object, it seemed to be the intention of 
the General to draw his men in quietly, and without bloodshed, 
into the fortifications around Chattanooga ; and had the entire 
command been properly handled, nothing could have transpired 
to thwart the design. 

General Negley began his ascent of the mountain early in the 
morning of the 9th of September, I believe, and by noon had his 
whole command camped on top of the mountain, and here he 
sent me out to reconnoiter. It was a pretty long and dangerous 
tramp, but I made it safely, and discovered that Wharton's com- 
mand was on the opposite side of the gap. The advance of the 
division was soon followed by the balance of Thomas' corps, and 
at the same time Gen. McCook was scalinsr the heights at Neil's 



SCOUTING ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. 297 

gap, twelve miles below, and Crittenden's Avas moving round 
ani over the north end of the mountain, while Gen. Stanley 
was threatening La Fayette from Broom Town valley, almost in 
rear of the rebel army. On the 10th the army was fairly bivou- 
acked in the clouds, on the top of Lookout, which is very broad ; 
in some places being four miles wide. Heavy clouds are con- 
stantly hanging over and lapping down upon the summit, and 
if it be a damp day, the top and sides are completely enveloped 
in the lower clouds. It is not, however, a high mountain, being 
only fourteen hundred and sixty feet perpendicular, I believe, 
above the level of the Tennessee river. 

I believe we rested a day on top, and scouted out the summit, 
while in the afternoon Col. Stoughton with his regiment went 
down the gap to drive back the enemy, in order that our engi- 
neers could repair the road. I was sent out again toward night, 
and passing through Stoughton's command and the rebel skir- 
mish line at a dead run under fire of both sides, I gained un- 
harmed the top of a very high spur of Lookout, I was aided 
in this by the dust raised by the rebel cavalry, while the fire was 
going on, and by the darkness after the fight was over. I clam- 
bered over cliffs during the night, to gain the top, over which, 
next morning, 1 could not look without getting on my hands 
and knees. It was risky work, but it was in a good cause, and 
was of advantage to the service, which was enough. At the 
first crowing of the chickens I was on my feet, waiting for light 
enough to see the valley below. The view extended all over 
Maclamore's Cove, and is one of the finest landscapes I ever be- 
held. Far to the left — perhaps sixteen or eighteen miles — could 
be seen the hights around Chattanooga, while directly in front 
was the range called Pigeon mountain, together with McCowan's 
gap, Dug gap, and Bluebird gap — all clearly revealed by the 
light in the east. I had a splendid signal glass with which I 
could see very minute objects in Dug gap, and I discovered that 
it was well defended by rifle pits and artillery - two batteries 
being distinctly visible ; while in rear of the gap rose a hill that 
thoroughly overlooked it, and on the crown of this hill was an 



298 MEETING AX OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 

extensive earthwork, running its Avliole length, and I counted 
within it sixteen guns. On the side of this hill I could see a 
great many brush shanties, with light, fleecy smoke rising above 
them, thus clearly indicating that they were occupied. 

From the top of the mountain I descended by a very precipi- 
tous and rocky ravine, the bed of which in the wet season was a 
roaring torrent, but now shrunk to a little babbling brook, that 
found its source on the top of the mountain at some boggy 
springs I had passed. At the foot of the mountain I discovered 
a house nearly at the mouth of the gorge. I made for it, at first, 
with the intention of quizzing the people, to see what they knew 
about the enemy's movements; but when within a few hundred 
yards of the place, I discovered a man sitting in the hall or 
porch, Avhich lay between the wings. He was leaning back, 
with his right leg thrown over his left knee, while opposite him, 
and leaning against the other wall, sat a beautiful young lady. 
I knew he was a Texan by his free and easy lounging style. 

Running noiselessly in the bed of the ravine, under the cover 
of its bank, I stepped up out of it behind a huge tree, about 
sixty yards from the house. Now, if I shot the fellow there, 
the woman would take coniptions, so I thought I would scare 
him out, and then shoot him. I stepped back into the ravine, 
and hid myself, and then fired a shot in the air, and it had the 
desired efiect. He rose, and walking out to where his horse was 
tied, picked up his bridle, and began to put it on. I got up be- 
hind my tree again, and shouted : " Do n't you put that bridle 
on that horse !" He paid no attention, but as he approached 
the animal's head I recognized him. His name Avas Bowers, 
and he had served with me in Texas. Leisurely he adjusted his 
bridle, even taking time to buckle the throat-latch. Again I 
shouted to him to " put down that bridle," but he paid no atten- 
tion to me whatever. 

As he stepped to the side of his horse, I ordered him not to 
mount ; but slowly, and without the least excitement, he swung 
himself into the saddle. I wanted to save him, and so I cried 
"Halt!" loud enough to be heard half a mile; but he turned 



A PAINFUL DUTY. 299 

ijuietlj from me, as if to show his contempt for danger, and I 
was compelled to fire on him, or allow him to escape to the 
enemy, and report. Taking a good rest, against a tree, I fired 
full on his back ; and we were in such close proximity, that I 
could see the hole made by the bullet. His horse spran^^- off 
into the woods, but he clung to the saddle, although in the 
agonies of death. 

Hearing others on the opposite side of the house, I at once 
began to play oflicer, and deploy skirmishers at " double quick ;" 
and so completely successful was the ruse, that the rebels did 
not await the development of my plans, but skedaddled as 
rapidly as possible in the direction of Dug gap, taking with 
them the wounded man, whom they left at the next house, where 
he died. 

I missed getting his horse, which was a very fine one ; as the 
intelligent animal, with his dying rider, ran steadily along Avith 
the horses rode by the others for over a mile, and until they 
reached the house indicated, where the Avounded man was left 
to die. I was at the house an hour afterward, but found that 
the horse and equipments had been taken ofi", and that an am- 
bulance had also been sent for the body, and that it, too, had 
been conveyed to the rebel camp. 

After this, I hurried over to the road by which our army was 
to descend the rugged mountain, and found Col. Stoughton's 
regiment in the valley, where they had skirmished the night 
before, and then prepared my report for the General, in writing, 
and forwarded it to him from the skirmish lines 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

BATTLES OF DUG GAP AND CHICKAMAUGA. 

We had not been skirmishing more than an hour, before the 
army began to pour down the steep, rocky, dusty road. On 
they came, winding to and fro, down the serpentine road, now 
enveloped in clouds of fog, then emerging from the mist, their 
bright arms and brass trappings glittering in the sun ; now sub- 
merged beneath a dense cloud of dust, they would again remain 
hidden for a time, till it was lifted off by a passing breeze, and 
again the mighty army, as if by magic, would stand out in full 
view before the beholder, martialing for the fray below. 

The rebels beheld them in terror, and they fled in confusion 
in the direction of Dug gap, leaving only a small cavalry force 
to skirmish with our advance. Gen. Negley then pushed a 
reariment or two out on the road, as far as Davis' cross roads, 
to feel the enemy, and ascertain his position. The reconnois- 
sance was gallantly conducted — the rebels disputing every foot 
of the ground ; and as soon as the reconnoitering party began 
to fall back, they hung upon its rear, until we gained our old 
position, at the foot of Lookout mountain. 

Early in the morning the General advanced with his whole 
division upon Dug gap, when the enemy's cavalry again dis- 
puted our progress, and the same ground was once more fought 
over, till we reached Davis' cross roads, at which place our 
army rested for an hour. The men being refreshed, pushed on 
again for the gap, where the rebels were found in overwhelming 
force. An engagement at once ensued, which lasted for several 
hours ; but as the enemy was soon strongly re- enforced, Gen. 
Negley ordered a retreat, and his men were drawn off, slowly 
and quietly, one brigade at a time. Slowly the artillery was 



DISCOVERING AN AMBUSCADE. 301 

taken off the field, occasionally halting to throw a few shells 
into the advancing enemy, till finally we regained our old camp. 

Our loss in this skirmish was about forty killed, wounded and 
missing ; but we lost nothing else ; so leisurely were our forces 
withdrawn, that the teamsters stopped to reload a wao-on which 
was upset. The 19th Illinois, and 18th Ohio Infantry, did noble 
work in this encounter, fighting at short range, and repellino- 
two or three handsome charges. They killed thirty odd men, at 
a single volley, near the gap, all of whom were left on the 
ground by the enemy. 

As we were proceeding toward the gap, I was frequently far 
in advance of the column, looking out for ambuscades, and per- 
forming the other delicate duties which devolve upon a scout ; 
and while reconnoitering, I discovered a stone wall to the left 
of the road, which looked like a splendid place of concealment, 
and I accordingly jumped behind a tree and scrutinized it care- 
fully, to discover signs of the enemy, but for some time I was 
unsuccessful in my efforts. Presently, however, I saw a man 
partly concealed by a clump of willow bushes, at a little dis- 
tance from the wall ; and observing him closely, I saw that he 
was motioning with his hand, as if to keep men down. In a 
little while I discovered another, and then another, until I saw 
four men crowded under the bushes, when I opened on them 
with a few shots from my Spencer rifle, and as they were but 
about two hundred yards off, I soon made it too hot for them, 
and they hustled down to the wall, when I lit out to report the 
ambuscade to General Negley. He immediately ran down a 
section of artillery into a position that commanded the wall, 
and then led a charge in person over the intervening hill, and 
down upon the rebels, who delivered a hasty volley before our 
men raised the hill, and then fled in confusiq;i, leaving several 
of their dead on the field. I chased one horse, with his rider, 
over a bluff bank, about twenty feet high, into a creek ; the 
rider sticking to his animal all the time, till he struck the water. 
The horse mired in tbe quick-sand, and the man was compelled 
to leap from his back, and leaving him, gain the opposite bank, 



802 " TAKE THAT ROAD, SIR." 

where he leaped a fence and disappeared in a corn field, while I 
was loading my gun. I then took the fellow's horse and saddle, 
and broke his gun and threw it over the fence after him, though 
I am not aware that he even stopped to think about it, much less 
to gather up the pieces. 

Our artillery was managed with great precision, and the 
enemy must have lost heavily. We occupied the ground next 
day, and w^e had a considerable number of their dead to bury — ■ 
the bodies having been abandoned on the field. 

A rather amusing incident occurred just before the engage- 
ment. I was on a scout up to the very foot of the gap. The 
rebels, for a long time, refused to show themselves, seemingly 
to draw us up into the gap, while they held another force that 
I had reported, ready to pounce upon our flank, when their 
masked batteries in front were to riddle our column with shells. 
Near the gap lived a venerable widow, who had two beautiful 
daughters, all Union, or at least so they told me, when they 
thought me a rebel. Her house stood within easy shooting dis- 
tance of the rebel sharp-shooters, and inside their picket line, 
although they had no post on the road. I went into the house, 
and told the old lady that I Avas very tired, and wanted to rest 
awhile, and she told me to lay down on a bed, but I preferred 
the floor. I was only doing this in order to see what I could 
find out ; and I had been there but a little while before her little 
son ran up to the door and said : 

" Mother, mother, here comes an ofiicer." 

I rolled over carelessly and asked where he was, and he told 
me in a whisper that he was out at the end of the house. I was 
after him in a moment, and I jumped over the fence between 
him and his men, and walked stealthily along behind him, until 
raising a little hill, he spied our pickets, about half a mile off. 
He quickly concealed himself in a fence corner, till he had taken 
a good look, then turning to go back to his own lines, he met 
me, with my rifle raised and my finger on the trigger. 

"Just take the road before me, sir," was all I said. 

He raised his hat very politely, bowed low, and remarked : 



THE BATTLE OPENS. 303 

" Why, really, sir, I am very much surprised to see you here." 

Finding himself a prisoner, he took it with the best possible 
grace. I allowed him to keep his sword until he reached the 
post, and let him walk by me. He was such a perfect gentle- 
man that I hated to turn him over to the hard fate of a prisoner ; 
but my good manners never saved me when I was in their hands, 
and so I consoled myself with the thought that he might have 
bad better luck. After I reached camp with him, I ascertained 
that he was a second lieutenant on Colonel Corbyn's staiBf. 

From some unaccountable cause, the army was detained in the 
vicinity of Stevens' gap for five days ; and during this interval, 
the enemy was reinforced by Longstreet's Corps, and other 
troops from Virginia. 

During the morning of Saturday, the 19th of September, little 
was done except closing up the trains, and getting them over 
the mountains, before it w^as discovered that Bragg was attempt- 
ing to flank us on the left, when instantly our army was put in 
motion toward Chattanooga, to prevent him from accomplish- 
ing his object. Our march was soon discovered by the rebels ; 
and now began the greatest foot race the eye of man ever be- 
held. My duty often caused me to ascend high points of the 
ridges and hills, to see how the enemy were progressing ; and 
wherever they moved, the tell-tale dust would disclose their op- 
erations. Each army was intent on gaining their fortified 
ground near Chattanooga ; and we had an even start, and if any- 
tiling, the shortest road — our army marching down on the west, 
and that of the rebels on the east side of the Chickamauo-a river. 

Great heavy clouds of dust hovered in the air, revealing the 
course of each army, through its entire length ; as M'ell as dis- 
closing the movements of the smallest bodies of troops. 

About ten o'clock in the morning, Bragg discovered it Avould 
be impossible to flank our army, and prevent us from gaining 
the desired point, and immediately began to close with us. His 
artillery thundering on our flank, gave notice of his intentions ; 
and General Rosecrans accepted the challenge, and soon our 
batteries were answering shot for shot, and shell for shell. 



304 TREMENDOUS ARTILLERY FIRING. 

This artillery dueling v,as very destructive for some time, 
particularly on our right, where the guns thundered -with 
uninterrupted fury. Guns were dismounted, caissons blown up, 
wheels splintered into fragments, horses torn almost limb from 
limb, while the mangled gunners lay scattered in all directions 
and wounded in every manner. Still the work of death went on. 
When the heavy shot failed to strike among the gunners, it was 
only to pass among the boughs over their heads, and by splintering 
them, carry additional destructive elements into the ranks of the 
supporting infantry. The shells, shrieking through the air, 
burst among the men, and horses, sweeping down whole squads 
of the one, or teams of the other ; and when a caisson was struck, 
the effect was terrific. The vehicles would be shattered to frae;- 
ments, while the powder of the shells would ignite, and throw 
them in every direction, bursting as they went, and sweeping 
scores of heroes to untimely graves. 

While this was transpiring on our right, the heavens appeared 
rent by a sudden crash, and the earth trembled beneath a steady, 
rolling sound. The battle had began on the left, and the mus- 
ketry had opened in dreadful earnest. Peal, on peal, the sound 
was borne to us, on the right, by the wind, almost drowning the 
heavy roar of artillery near us, which of itself was well nigh 
deafening. 

Rapidly General Rosecrans shifted his troops from right to 
left, to meet each new assault of the enemy. Each time, as the 
]-oll of musketry raised above the sound of the cannon, it told 
us that the battle continued to -surge to the left, and that the 
lines of our army were being stretched to the greatest possible 
length. Stout hearts began to feel a misgiving, and brave men 
watched the enemy with wary eye. 

McCook's corps, on the right, held its ground. Battery after 
battery of rebel guns had been silenced, but they had not yet 
given back, keeping continually closed in upon our men ; and 
in the evening they charged upon Van Cleve's division, pouring 
in three terrible volleys ; but they met with a fearfully bloody re- 
pulse, and were compelled to fall back to their old position, af- 



OUR RIGHT BROKE. 307 

ter which they soon began to retire from the field they had oc- 
cupied. 

Concentration on our left was the next movement in order ; for 
on that wing the battle was yet raging with unabated fury. Our 
lines were faced to the East, with the right to the Soutli, and 
left to the North; and in rear of this were our teams, and non- 
combatants ; and these were hurried oif in hot haste, toward 
Chattanooga. 

Sunday morning, the 20th, revealed to us the enemy in a new 
and stronger position, and much nearer to Chattanooga ; and 
at daylight, the contest burst forth again with redoubled fury, on 
our devoted left — General Thomas this time taking the offensive. 
For hours the contest continued, witho-ut decided advantao-e to 
either side, when suddenly the enemy concentrated in tremend- 
ous force, on McCook's corps, rushing impetuously forward and 
driving it flying from the field. God grant that I may never 
again behold such a scene as I there witnessed. The assaultinc 
column charged to within sixty or eighty paces of our lines, un- 
der a fire so murderous that they halted, and wavered, at least 
five minutes, when, reinforced by another line, the foremost men 
were literally driven upon us. At this critical juncture, our 
ammunition failed, and the enemy was upon us, pouring in 
withering volleys upon our almost defenseless ranks, so that no 
troops in the world could have withstood the assault. Panic 
stricken, the corps rushed to the rear; but they were true men, 
and heroic leaders were there to rally them, and thrice they 
formed, and turned upon the advancing foe, who forbore to pur- 
sue so determined an enemy. Most heroically did the fugitives 
cluster around their battle flags, with tear-streaming eyes, 
fondly caressing the banner they were now helpless to de- 
fend. 

Hero and there a gallant color sergeant would halt and raise 
aloft the ensign of liberty, shouting out to the men not to aban- 
don their colors — not to give up the flag — to remember Stone 
river, and not to yield, for our troops would yet be victorious, 
as they had been on many a hotly-contested field. Here and there 
18 



308 RALLYING THE MEN. 

an officer pleaded frantically with the flying men; now using 
words of hope and encouragement, or orders and menaces, as 
either were demanded by different characters; calling upon them 
to remember their country and her honor, to reflect that they 
were Americans, and must fight to save their banners. They 
could not resist the appeal, and three times they rallied and 
waited determinedly for the enemy; each time in better order 
iind determination, standing ever in well-formed ranks, until or- 
dered to take up a new position. Nobly did those color ser- 
geants discharge their duty that day, not one of whom yielded 
his banner, till he had first fallen beneath it. Captain Johnson, 
now Colonel of the 13th Indiana Cavalry, contributed much to- 
ward rallying the men; as did also Captain Rockhold, of the 
15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and many other officers both of the 
staff and line, Avhose names I do not now remember. The last 
man I recollect seeing on the field — and I was one of the last to 
leave it — was Major-General McCook, riding even into the thick- 
est of the enemy's fire; and it indeed appears miraculous that 
he escaped with his life. While this was transpiring on the 
right, the thunder of battle still reached us from the left. What 
befell the fugitives now, I know not; for, thinking they were 
taking a wrong road, I left them, and going immediately to the 
left, reported to Gen. Thomas for duty. He held his ground 
firmly until toward night, when, during a lull in the battle, he 
began to retreat. His corps was in the best of spirits, and full 
of confidence in the General. 

Deliberately every man supplied himself with a rail — whole 
brigades facing to a fence for this purpose — each fellow shoul- 
dering the biggest one he could lay hands on ; and then the bri- 
jj;ade would reform and resume its march, the men laughing and 
joking each other over their heavy Avork as gayly as if they had 
not seen thousands of their comrades fall that day. The enemy 
pursued, but the corps with its portable breastworks was invin- 
cible. Halting in a noted gap in Mission Ridge, the troops put 
their rails to use by raising, in a few moments, an effective barri- 
cade. The General made his head quarters just in the rear of 



EETREAT TO CHATTANOOGA. 309 

the gap, and under short artillery range of the enemy ; and he 
maintained his position, in spite of the rebel shells, which were 
whistling over his head for hours together ; and here he was re- 
inforced by two or three brigades of Granger's reserves, and 
renewed the contest. 

On the 21st our line reached around the crest of Mission Rido-o 
something like a half-moon, with the bow toward the enemy. 
The battle, however, was not severe on that day, as the rebels 
appeared disconcerted. They made several feints upon our lines, 
but our General was always ready for them, and checked them 
at every point. At times their artillery would send shell after 
shell shrieking over our heads, as if determined to frighten us from 
our position ; but they fired badly, as if they had lost their best 
gunners in the late terrible contest. At times they would pour 
volley after volley of musketry upon us, but did but little damage, 
as the balls either struck our barricade, or flew harmlessly over 
us, and clattered among the trees. Their next ruse was to try 
to turn our right with their cavalry, and it was said that Forrest 
led the charge in person. Scaling the end of the ridge, where 
Dur right was posted, they charged furiously upon the 21st Ohio 
infantry, and were handsomely repulsed, without loss to our side ; 
while eight of the enemy fell dead Avithin a few feet of our lines. 
The 21st followed them with an uninterrupted fire from their re- 
volving rifles, until the rebels were driven from the hill. This 
was about the closing demonstration; and that night the army 
quietly retreated to Chattanooga, leaving their camp fires burn- 
ing brightly, to deceive the rebels. General Thomas did not 
leave the field until all had gone from the scene of the late con- 
flict, but the rear guard; and about midnight, part of General 
Stanley's force appeared upon the ground, to cover the retreat. 
While the battle had been raging, they had been hotly engaged 
with the enemy's cavalry under Forrest, and had also been beset 
with infantry. Their duty had been of a most dangerous nature, 
and was performed in a gallant manner. Our cavalry lost many 
daring men during the battle, chiefly, however, in killed and 
wounded, thouirh they lost a few in prisoners. 



310 IN CHATTANOOGA. 

Noiselessly the army marchecl to Chattanooga that night 
Not a sound was to be heard save the rumbling of the trains or 
the occasional word of command. When the troops reached 
the town the whole aspect was changed. Uncertainty was now 
certainty. "We had gained the point for which the campaign 
was planned and for which we had struggled so hard. Determin- 
ation could be read in every face. Filing along the breast- 
works the rebels had constructed, men and officers took oif their 
coats and engaged in strengthening their position. 

I now saw General Rosecrans for the first time since I left 
Bridgeport. He looked wearied and care-worn, but hopefal and 
determined. I spoke to him and Avanted to burn the jail where 
I had been confined with Andrews' men, but he refused permis- 
sion, telling me it would raise too much smoke over the town 
and impede the aim of the artillery. His countenance did not 
change till he rode along by some familiar regiments and saw 
their thinned ranks and worn looks, when he appeared ready to 
burst into tears ; at that moment the men raised a hearty cheer 
for " Rosecrans," when he rallied from his momentary weakness, 
and galloped to the outworks in front of the town. I heard 
manv a man and officer swear that the town should never be 
surrendered — and it never was ; while the rebel columns were 
soon hurled, flying back for Mission Ridge, a position they 
deemed impregnable. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

PERSONAL ADVENTURES DURING THE BATTLE.. 

I HAD some personal adventures during the battle, two oi 
three of which may be worth the reader's perusal. The la- 
mented General Lytle, who was killed in the second day's fight 
at Chickamauga, held the right of McCook's corps most of the 
day ; and when he saw the evening closing in on him he sent 
me down to the left, telling me to post on a mile or so and see 
how everything stood, saying that the service was of the utmost 
importance. This was on the 19th. 

Away I went, first down in front of the rebel lines, and in 
full view of them, till I saw they were preparing to advance, 
when, dashing across the open place, I came over to our own 
front. I turned -down it to a long break in the line ; I then 
followed the general direction of our front for half a mile, 
when I reached one of our own batteries which I found to be lit- 
erally dismantled. The caissons were blown into fragments, 
the guns dismounted, and the gunners were scattered, dead and 
wounded, thick around it. Poor fellows ! they had been stricken 
down at their posts, torn and mangled, by shell and grape. 

I had no time to stop, as much depended on my diligence ; 
perhaps I held the lives of many men in my hands. I rode on, 
some three-quarters of a mile further, still seeing no troops, 
when I turned back. I passed the dismantled battery again, 
and stopped a moment to see if I could identify it, when one 
of the wounded men feebly called out : 

" Soldier, cover me up ; cover me up ; I am cold ; oh ! so 

cold." 

The supplicatory tones were hard to resist, but I saw the 



312 PERSONAL ADVENTURES. 

enemy advancing, and hastened back to the General. As 1 
reached our line again, I hailed a body of troops with : 

"What brigade is this?" 

"Third brigade of Van Clove's division," was the hurried re- 
sponse. 

I had barely passed it when a double crash of musketry told 
me that they had closed in upon the advancing enemy. I now 
put my mare out to her best speed, to pass the next brigade ; and 
in ansAver to my hail, they shouted : " second brigade of Van 
Cleve's division ;" and I had hardly passed when a heavy volley 
of the enemy's musketry whistled over the heads of our men, 
and was immediately answered by the brigade. 

The firing behind me was now both rapid and destructive. 
As I passed on, hailing the next command, I found it was 
the first brigade of Van Cleve's division, and as I had just 
reached the end of its line, it, too, joined in the furious contest, 
with a deafening crash of musketry. The firing, now, for a 
short time, was intense, and the work of death terrific; but the 
enemy gave way, and retired to their old position. 

I reported to General Lytle the condition of things on his 
left, and as the enemy remained quiet for a little time. Van Cleve 
now closed up the gaps in the line. Before this change of posi- 
tion, however, I was again sent over toward the enemy, to see 
what they were doing ; and I reached the creek in the thicket, 
and crept on my hands and knees until I got close enough to 
hear them talk. 

" There, that's right," said one fellow. 

" Hand me that glass," said another. 

On raising up and looking through a fence, I saw they were 
turning a battery on General Lytle's headquarters ; and at once, 
without heeding their shout to halt, I ran at my best speed for 
the foot-log over the creek. A few shots behind me had a Avon- 
derful eflFect in accelerating my pace, so that I never ran better 
than at that time. I sprang on my horse just as the Johnnies 
leaped out of the brush on the other side of the creek; but 
before they had time to fire I was off" like a shot, for the hill. 



ATTEMPT TO DESTROY OUR AMMUNITION. 813 

I at once dismounteJ, and leaping over the breastworks, was 
met by the General, who asked me what the rebels were about. 

"They are," said I, "turning a battery so as to rake your 
position" — and I had hardly uttered the word " position," when 
a shell from it passed whistling between our heads. The shock 
caused by the current staggered the General about six feet back, 
and jarred me, creating a sensation such as would be produced 
by a stroke on the ear by a light board. 

The same day, in the morning, I was passing our ammunition 
train, and saw on the right of it, a man sitting on a horse in an 
open field, scrutinizing the train closely, up and down, and 
around. He Avas in our uniform, and bareheaded, Avhen I ob- 
served him, but I soon perceived that he held a white hat in his 
hand. I at once concluded that if he was a Yankee he had no 
business there; and if a rebel he had still less, so I " Avent for 
him," as the soldiers express it ; that is, I went to kill him, if 
I could not take him prisoner. He saw me coming, and fled to 
a barn on the hill at some distance from us, and near a clump 
of timber. I was about two hundred yards from the train, and 
could not follow directly after him, as the creek Avas Avide, deep, 
and had high, steep banks ; but some distance doAvn Avas a ford, 
for which I made, and when I crossed it on the jump, I saAV 
one of our Lieutenant-Colonels, a Captain, and a colored ser- 
vant, Avatering their horses in the creek. I rode up on the hill 
about a hundred yards, and the barn Avas still about fifty 
yards from me, Avhen about thirty rebels rode out from be- 
hind the building, and out of the woods, and fired a volley at 
me. I Avas not hurt, but convinced that I Avas too close to them, 
and Avheeled and Avent back in a rather precipitate manner. 
The Colonel heard the firing, and he and his party ran off doAvn 
toward the train ; but as I rode the best horse, I soon overtook 
them and reported the case to him. He Avas, fortunately, one 
of General McCook's staff. I told him that it Avas plainly the 
intention of the rebels to assault the train and bloAV it up ; and 
this, five resolute men could have easily done, without danger 
to themselves. 



314 SKIEMISIIING. 

I now went to the friendly shelter of a rail fence close by, and 
had a lively time with the rebs till the infantry got in sight, 
when they mounted their horses and left; and even then they 
could have destroyed the train had they known the true state 
of affairs; but every now and then I would fire a shot and 
give a yell, and I suppose they thought I had plenty of help 
close by. 

On the second day, I was with Lytle's brigade until after the 
General was killed. He had sent me a long way out before the 
brigade skirmishers, to see for him if the enemy were coming. 
While on this service, I discovered an officer of the rebel army 
hid behind a bush that concealed him from our skirmishers ; but 
I was about parallel with him, and of course, had a fair sight, and 
improved it. I fired at him three times, as fast as I could shoot 
a Spencer rifle ; and the third bullet brought him down, his horse 
galloping away to a party of mounted men still further back in 
the timber. I hurried on in the woods, dodging from tree to 
tree, and from one hiding place to another, until I saw the 
enemy's skirmish line, which was advancing slowly, at the same 
time keeping well " dressed ;" and instantly I was off to inform 
General Lytic that they were coming. On the line I saw a staff 
officer, to whom I gave my information, and who was going to 
the General, and he promised to report. I then took my place 
in the line of skirmishers, and as the rebel skirmishers came in 
sight, we made the fire so hot that they soon fell back to their 
ranks, while we, ourselves, were ordered into our breastworks. 

As soon as we turned to retire to our breastworks, we were 
beset by a heavy fire from the enemy's columns ; and one Colonel 
made his men get down on all fours, and no doubt saved many 
a life by this maneuver. 

For some reason, our first line of breastworks was abandoned 
after the delivery of the second vollej^ ; and as we took our po- 
sition behind the second line, I placed myself behind a large 
chestnut tree, the top of which had been broken off by a storm, 
and near which I had tied my mare some time before. As I felt 
perfectly secure, while the rebels were coming I examined my 



i 



FRIGHTFUL WORK OF DEATH. 315 

ammunition, and laid it out on tlie ground by my side, and I 
found I had just thirty-three rounds. 

When the rebels arrived ^Yithin eighty yards, I began firing; 
and our men held them so closely there, that at one time they 
seemed on the point of breaking and flying from the field. As 
for myself, I aimed every shot at their belt-plates, and before 
they drove us, I had fired all my ammunition but two shots ; and 
at that time I got a cartridge fast in my gun. A soldier was at 
that instant passing me, and I caught him by the leg, and with- 
out seeing who he was, I asked him for his ramrod. He jerked 
it out, and threw it almost directly in my face, which made me a 
little mad and caused me to look up, when I beheld our army 
flying in the utmost disorder down the hill on which they were 
posted. I knocked the cartridge hull out of my gun ; and already 
the enemy were seizing prisoners, and clubbing their muskets on 
such as were stubborn enough to resist. Hastily I fired my two 
remaining charges, almost in the faces of the advancing rebs, and 
I raised my gun to break it over a tree, when thoughts of prison 
hardships flashed across my mind, and I resolved to r«n for my 
life. The first part of the race was down hill, and I made good 
time. The air seemed literally full of flying bullets. I could 
hear them whistle close to my ear, down by my sides, and over 
my head ; could hear them strike the ground behind me, and see 
them strike before me, while scores whistled, as it appeared to 
me, two hundred feet in the air. Far ahead I could see my 
comrades falling; and around me others, and yet others were 
bitincr the dust; and well I knew that the work of death was 
going on behind me also. 

It was a terrible race, but I made it in safety, though I still 
feel the effects of the over-exertion in my chest. It appears, 
when I reflect upon it, almost miraculous that I escaped death. 
As I had sent my rifle into Chattanooga, by Captain Rock- 
well, of the 15th Pennsylvania cavalry, I carried a Springfield gun 
during the rest of the fight, but only got five shots. It was in the 
first part of this charge that General Lytle so gloriously fell — 
his body pierced with three bullets, and his sword dripping with 



316 DEATH OF GENERAL LYTLE. 

the blood of the foe. Wlien he saw his noble brigade break he 
drew his blade and rushed upon the enemy, but only to yield 
up his life, a precious sacrifice upon the altar of liberty, dying 
as he had lived, for his country. 

This ended my adventures in this fearfully bloody struggle — 
one in which our men exhibited most heroic qualities, and which 
gained to us, in the end, the ground we fought for, though the 
cost was frightful; and it was soon after, as every reader knows, 
followed by stupenduous results. 

Long will I remember the proud look of defiance upon the 
face of every man when once within the fortifications at Chatta- 
nooga. As they were filing in the rebels reached the summit 
of Mission Ridge ; and as they advanced, in full Ijne of battle, 
they sent up loud shouts of victory, which were defiantly 
answered by our men, with cheer after cheer, as defiant and 
proud as ever. Soon the rebels opened, Avith shot and shell, 
upon every assailable point ; but they were promptly answered, 
with accuracy, by our artillery, and they declined to assault us 
in our position, hoping to force a surrender through famine — 
a delusive phantom, as they soon discovered to their cost. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

■WHEELER BADLY WHIPPED A PEKILOXJS TRIP OVER THE MUSCLE SHOALS. 

At Chattanooga I was invited, by General Crook, to go with 
him up the Tennessee, as there was a prospect that Wheeler 
would make an attempt to get in our rear with his cavalry. Such 
a movement, on the part of the enemy, might well be viewed 
with trembling by every patriot; for, if our communications 
were once cut, or even if only broken three or four days, it 
would have compelled the surrender of the gallant army of the 
Cumberland, then hemmed in within the fortifications of Chat- 
tanooga, with only a single route for keeping supplies of om- 
munition and stores to stand a siege until reinforced. 

On the 23d and 24th of September, General Crook started, 
with the 2d division of cavalry, to the vicinity of Washington, 
Tennessee, to counteract, or check the intended raid, if possible. 
When he arrived at Smith's Cross Roads, the general threw out 
pickets at every ford, for miles up and down the river; but at 
Cotton Port the enemy planted artillery and shelled our men 
back from the bank, and then commenced crossing. As rein- 
forcements were not to be had, the general could not give 
Wheeler battle at that place ; but collecting all his scattered 
bands, as rapidly as possible, he prepared to fall upon the rear 
of Wheeler's army. At the' ford, the conflict was short and 
desperate ; and, as soon as Wheeler gained the north bank of 
the river, he marched directly across the valley to the mount- 
ains, while General Crook pursued him rapidly. Our force, 
although too small to fight the whole force of the rebels, was 
still able to whip them on the raid, every time they came upon 
their rear. 

Among the first who crossed the Tennessee, with Wheeler's 



318 KILLING A PROVOST xAIARSHAL. 

command, was the rebel provost-marshal of Chattanooga, named 
William Ozier, and his object was to conscript men on the north 
side of the river. Major Matthews, of the 4th Ohio, had charge 
of the picket, and had given orders not to fire on any small 
parties coming over, but I had not heard the order. We had 
been picking them up, four or five at a time, and making them 
prisoners without firing a gun ; and but for the fact that this 
party came over; and formed in line as they advanced, I suppose 
we should have continued to do so. I watched them closely, as 
the}' came toward us, and I thought I detected them drawing their 
guns for use, stealthily. With the ring of Chickamauga fresh in 
my ears I may have been a little nervous ; but be that as it may, 
without \yaiting for further developments, I raised my rifle and 
fired at the leader, killing him instantly while the next fellow 
caught a bullet in the temple : and then the firing became gen- 
eral, and the Johnnies, badly frightened, wheeled their horses 
and rushed them back to the shore of the river. The one who 
Avas shot in the head did not die. The ball struck the temple, 
and passed around under the skin, to the opposite one, where it 
came out — a fact which I learned from the farmer who took him 
out of the river. On the body of the provost-marshal was four- 
teen hundred dollars ; but I took none of it. I laid him out 
decently, and handed him over to the citizens of the vicinity 
for identification. 

Gen. Crook's force, at that time, did not exceed three thou- 
sand five hundred, while Wheeler had with him seven thousand; 
yet we whipped him at Cumberland mountain, on the Sequatchie 
river, at McMinnville, and saved Murfreesboro, and the railroad, 
and all our supplies ; then again overtook him at Shelbyville, 
whipped him — then forced the fugacious rebel to a general engage- 
ment at Farmington, where he was whipped badly, taking all his 
cannon, a portion of his train, and five hundred prisoners ; then 
we drove him from Pulaski, and overtook and defeated him at Sugar 
creek, and sent him on the double quick over the Muscle shoals. 

It was severe Avork ; both parties displaying the most deter- 
mined courage, frequently contending in hand-to-hand cncoun- 



WHEELER BADLY WHIPPED. 319 

ters ; indeed, I saw rebels fighting with pistols when the carbines 
of our men would be thrust in their faces. I got a good many 
good shots on this raid, and had some narrow chances myself. 
On two occasions the rebels fired whole volleys at me, at short 
range, while I would be trying to ascertain their position for the 
General ; and at Farmington, I was a target for three pieces of 
artillery, loaded with grape — there being not another man within 
cannon range. The grape struck around, over, and under me, 
but still did not touch either myself or horse. In the same fight 
a fuse shell struck immediately beneath my horse, but, although 
burning when it struck, it did not explode. 

At a little log school-house, before we reached Farmington, 
the rebels made a very decided stand. I saw one fellow fighting 
from behind a tree, his position being secure from our men, who 
were unable to get at him on account of a fence which lay in 
front of him. I dismounted, and ran behind a little tree that 
was near by, and, taking good aim, I shot him in the side, and 
he fell, a dead man. But such affairs happen on every battle 
field. 

After Wheeler had been driven from Tennessee and Northern 
Alabama, the second division, consisting of Wilder's Mounted 
Infantry, wei:it to Brownsboro, and was engaged in keeping the 
county clear of the enemy, and in protecting railroad works. 

The amount of suffering among the citizens, resulting from 
this raid, was fearful. Everything eatable was seized by one or 
the other of the armies. The scenes witnessed called forth pity 
for the little children, who could not understand the nature of the 
calamity which had befallen them ; and I also commiserated a 
portion of the women ; but by far the larger number of the latter 
did not conduct themselves in a manner calculated to excite 
sympathy. They were vindictive, and seized every available 
occasion to manifest their ill nature. The^^ were ever ready to 
drive their husbands and so.ns into the war, and they need not 
have expected much pity at our hands. Many, it is true, were 
always devotedly loyal — were ready to contribute to the succesi 
of the nation — but they did not constitute a majority. 



320 A NARROW ESCAPE BY WATER. 

"While I was at Brownsboro, a dispatch came to Gen. Crook, 
by telegraph, directed to Gen. Sherman, with a request to for- 
ward it without delay. It was handed to me to carry to him, 
but none of us knew where he then was. Capt. Kennedy found 
an article in an old rebel paper which stated that he was at 
Corinth; but that was some time before, and we had no idea 
which way he was marching. Capt. Starr, of the 2d Kentucky 
Cavalry, with a squadron of men, went with me to Whitesburgh, 
on the Tennessee, ten miles from Huntsville ; and I there took a 
canoe and run down the river, it beins about two o'clock at nio-ht 
when I started on my lonely ride. About fifteen miles below Whites- 
burgh, I heard a noise, as if a party of men on the south bank were 
bailing out a ferry-boat ; and, as I thought I would have time to 
pass it before it could be got ready to cross, I pushed on down. 
I could easily hear them coming as I proceeded, so that I pad- 
dled my very best ; but on they came, faster and faster ; I did 
my utmost, but still they gained on me ; another stroke of their 
long sweeps, and they would be on my canoe. It was a critical 
time, but fortunately at this moment a man on the shore called 
out to them : " You all look as if you were going down the 
river ; you don't look like you were coming here to me." I 
glanced over my shoulder, and there on the bank, at the edge of 
the water, sat the Captain of a band of rebel cavalry ; while just 
above him I could see forty or fifty men with their horses. 
There were six men in the boat, whom I saw distinctly — two at 
the oars, one steering, and three standing gazing over the sides, 
at me. They were so close on my canoe at this time, that I 
raised my hand to catch the ferry-boat, in case she struck my 
little craft, to prevent her from dragging me under. 

When the Captain hailed, they headed a little more up stream, 
and she missed my canoe about the length of my paddle. As 
they passed by, I could see them watching me eagerly, but they 
said not a word ; while I plied my paddle with all my strength, 
and was soon out of their sight amid the darkness. The gap I 
ran through between the boat and the company on shore, was 
not more than thirty yards wide. I could not possibly have 



IN AN EDDY. 321 

passed it safely had I made the least possible noise with my 
boat ; but I approached them so quietly, that the party on shore 
did not discover me until I was speeding past them. 

A few miles above Decatur I was overtaken by daylight, and 
knowing very well that the river was well picketed by the rebels 
all the way to Tuscumbia, I did not try to travel, but pulled 
ashore under a steep bluff, and hid my canoe under some over- 
hano-iijg willows, and hid myself in a cleft in the rocks to sleep 
and rest till the next night. It was in the latter part of October — 
about the 26th or 27th, I l^elieve — and I had rather a cold time 
of it, among the stones. During the day a company of rebel 
cavalry rode along the top of the bluff, just over my head, but 
they did not see me, and I rested well till dark, when I pushed 
out in the stream and resumed my journey. I passed Decatur 
while the lights in the houses were still burning, and as I rowed 
by the foot of the main street, a single shot was fired on the 
bank— the flash of the gun being toward me— though I did not 
know what they were shooting at, nor did I call to inquire. 

In the neighborhood of Lamb's ferry, just at the head of 
Muscle Shoals, I hiid down in the bottom of my boat to rest a 
little, as I was very tired and sleepy. How long I slept I do not 
know,— not more than an hour, I think— when I heard a chicken 
crow,' and waking up, I found I was floating by a house on the 
bank. I picked up my oar and began to paddle leisurely on, 
too tired and sleepy to work hard, and in a short time I passed 
another house. It was dark, to be sure, but still I could see 
that it bore a striking resemblance to the first one. Two 
brothers, I thought, live on adjoining plantations; or perhaps 
an old man and one of his children, and have built houses alike. 
I still pulled on, bnt lo! in a short time I passed another just 
like the other two. This was unaccountable for a minute, but I 
remembered I had seen a big cottonwood tree on the bank at 
each of the other houses, and now I thought of it, they too 
were as the houses and fences— all, all exactly alike; what could 
it mean? Was I bewitched? I started directly across the river, 
to the opposite bank, resolved to leave a country where such 



322 UNTIMELY DISTURBANCES. 

sameness prevailed. It savored too much of enchantment tc 
suit me, so I would go elsewhere ; but as I approached the chan- 
nel, I discovered that I was in a big eddy, caused by an island 
on one side, and a sweeping curve in the bank on the other, and 
that I had been floating around in a circle — how long, I could 
not tell. 

Shortly after I pulled ashore on an island, to pass another 
day, hiding my canoe under the overhanging boughs, Avhich pro- 
jected far out over the water, and lying down in my boat to 
sleep. After taking a long nap, I was awakened by a rattling 
in the chains of my boat, and raising up and peering over the 
gunwale, I espied a large, fat raccoon, reared up on his hind 
len-s, playing with the loose end of the chain, as it dangled from 
the limb it-was tied to. His look was astonishingly intelligent, 
and he enjoyed the sport till the swinging of the iron hit him 
on the nose, when he hustled off up the bank and was seen no 
more. Scarcely, however, was he away, before a mink came 
trotting down to the end of my boat, and cast an inquiring look 
into it ; but one glance sufficed him, and he was off like a shot. 

Nothino- more occurred to disturb me, till I discovered a 
company of rebel cavalry on the north bank of the river. 
Nearly opposite where I lay ; on that side, was a house ; and as 
the cavalry approached it, I saw an old man bring an officer 
down to the water's edge, and point out to him where I was 
hid; after which the latter rode back to the feompany, when they 
all moved off down the river, and I began to flatter myself that 
I should not be disturbed. Still, I thought it best to keep a 
wood look out for them, and I soon saw them about three-fourths 
of a mile down the river. They eame to the bank and I was sat- 
isfied now that something was to be done. They dismounted, 
and six of them got into a large canoe, and pushing off, set out 
toward me, coming a considerable distance, when they appeared 
to be called back by the party on shore, A brief consultation 
then ensued, and they again pushed out in the river; but this 
time they steered below the end of the island, and again I was 
almost ready to believe I would not be disturbed. 



MUSCLE SHOALS, 325 

In about half an hour I heard them paddling up the river on 
the opposite side of the island, -which was here very narrow. I 
watched them closely, and discovered that they were not more 
than seventy -five yards off, and coming rapidly; so, quickly 
loosening my boat, I pushed out in the stream, and was away 
down the river. I put out all my strength until I passed the 
men on the shore, and as I was sailing by at a safe distance 
from them, they hailed me with the order, "Come ashore with 
that boat ;" but I could not see it in that light, and redoubled 
my efforts at the paddle. I heard their guns, bang, bang, ban"-, 
in rapid succession, but it was a useless waste of ammunition, 
for I was now flying through one of the swiftest shoals on the 
Tennessee, and was out of range with almost lightning speed. 

The Muscle Shoals are forty miles long, and I was now in the 
head of them. In some places the river is very wide — perhaps 
two miles — while in other places, far more narrow, and there 
is a long series of cascades, down which the water rushes foam- 
ing and roaring, dashing and thundering, among the rocks — 
sometimes for miles — lashed into foam by its own impetus, and 
then pouring over perpendicular falls, and breakers in the rocky 
bed. It was a fearful ride in the dark, as several of the cas- 
cades Avere five or six feet from top to bottom, and one, known 
as the "big jump," was ten feet in perpendicular hight; or so, 
at least, I was informed by men who followed boating over the 
shoals. The most dangerous ride I had was by a point on the 
south side of the stream, called Green's bluff. By running on 
that side,' I avoided the highest part of the "big jump;" and I 
made my way over it in safety, though not Avithout some bruises, 
and a thorough drenching. 

At South Florence I saw innumerable camp fires, and was at 
a loss to account for it. During the day, while laying up on an 
island, I heard the reverberations of cannon on the water, and 
now here was a camp in full view — perhaps the very one I was 
searching after. I was in a swift, but not turbulent part of the 
shoals, and I determined at once to reconnoitcr, and therefore 
pulled my boat around, in full view of the camp fires — some of 
19 



326 THE JOURNEY MADE. 

Avhicli were near the water's edge — and discovered the gray 
uniform of the sentries, and I was, of course, off" again in the 
distance, knowing that I had passed an army of rebels. 

I well knew that at least a portion of our army was near them, 
or why the firing I had heard ? A little further down and I dis- 
covered the piers of a railroad bridge, the woodwork of which 
liad been burned ; and I felt satisfied that it was on the road 
leading to Tuscumbia. Still, however, I did not see apy suitable 
place to land, till a long way below that point, when I discovered 
a narrow road leading out from the water's edge, and up to it I 
pulled my little craft, resolved to find a house and get some in- 
formation about the movements of troops in that part of the 
country. 

While hunting for a house, I heard the beatin']' of a single drum 
off in the distance; and shortly after, followed a "reveille," but 
far away from where I was. Advancing carefull}' to reconnoiter, 
I discovered a picket just before daylight, and stealing up toward 
him, behind a thick growth of weeds — for he was near a fence, 
the corners of which had not been trimmed — I was soon near 
enough to touch him with my gun, when I called out to him to 
know his regiment, and he responded : " The 5th Ohio." 

What weight and doubt was now removed from my mind! He 
was a friend ! I had feared that I was approaching a rebel camp, 
but noAv my misgivings had vanished into air I I now told him 
that I had dispatches for General Sherman, and wanted to pass 
into camp, and he called the corporal, who sent me in without 
delay. 

I found Tuscumbia in possession of General Blair's troops; 
and the General furnished me a good breakfast and an ambulance 
to Cherokee station ; and from here, by order of General A^''right 
I was conveyed on a special train to luka, Avhere Sherman then 
was ; and I at once delivered my dispatches, which were not yet 
three days old. No sooner had I delivered the documents, than 
my strength utterly failed me, and I sunk down exhausted, be- 
fore I could reach the place assigned me to rest. 

The service I had performed was most arduous and dangerous; 



COMMENDATORY LETTER FROM SHERMAN. 327 

but let General Sherman liimself describe it, and its importance 
which he does in the following document : 

Head Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi 

Nashville, Tenn., April 16, 1864. 
Coporal James Pike, Co. A 4th Ohio Cavalry, in October, 1863 carried a 
message from General Grant to me at luka. He got a canoe at Whites- 
burg, opposite Huntsville, and came down the Tennessee, over the Muscle 
Shoals, all alone, for over one hundred miles of river, every mile of which 
was picketed by the enemy, and reached me safely, as stated, at luka. It 
was that message that hastened my movement to Chattanooga. The whole 
affair is highly creditable to the skill, courage and zeal of Corporal Pike. 

(Signed,) W. T. SHERMAN, 
Major General. 

The same dispatch reached him in two other wajs. Corporal 
Brant and private John Wakefield, of the 4th Ohio, went down 
the north bank of the river with it, and Lieutenant Fitzgerald, 
with a hundred 4th Regulars, got through with it; but I do not 
believe either of these parties could have been successful if I had 
not first made it by the river. 

In about two hours after I delivered the dispatch. General 
Sherman put his army in motion for Chattanooga; and as soon 
as the first division began to cross over, the rebels who occupied 
the north bank, crossed over on the shoals, and joined Wheeler 
on the south side, thus opening the way for the other t^vo parties 
to reach the General, which they could not otherwise have done. 

As soon as I rested a day, I started back up the country, with 
Brant, and Wakefield, to report the advance of Sherman's army 
to General Crook. I told General Sherman that I needed a 
horse, and he replied that I should take the best animal there 
was in Tishamingo or Lauderdale counties; but after careful 
search and patient inquiry, I found that his own men had not 
left a single one in the country that was able to go; and when. I 
reported the result of my investigation to the General, he kindly 
borrowed one for me, with saddle, bridle and blankets ; and I 
need hardly state that I forgot to return them. 

In an incredibly short time the army reached Chattanooga, 



328 AN AMPLE REWARD. 

and in two days participated in the battles of Lookout mountain 
and Mission Ridge; and in the glorious victories won on those 
stoutly contested fields, I felt myself amply repaid for the dangers 
I had encountered in my journey over the Muscle Shoals by 
night. 



CHA PTEB XXXI. 

EAID IN NOKTH CAROLINA— REBEL COLONEL WALKER KILLED. 

On our return, we found Elk river exceedingly swollen; so 
leavin- our horses with a Union man in the neighborhood, named 
Hu.h McLamore, we walked up the bank of the stream in search 
of a boat, as an attempt to swim it would result in almost cer- 
tain death. We proceeded at least ten miles, when we saw a 
canoe on the opposite side, which was the property of a notori- 
ous old rebel; and immediately two of us hid, while the third 
called the boat over. Not dreaming who we were, but evidently 
supposing the hail was from a rebel soldier, he sent one of his 
ueles over with the craft at once; but no sooner did it reach 
the%hore, than we all three sprang in, to the astonishment and 

terror of the darkey. , 

On reaching the stable, we confiscated two fine mules and a 
carriage horse, the old rebel raving and swearing all the time. 
We laughed at his passion, and rode off, without damagmg Ins p - 
perty o° injuring him, our seizure of the an.mals bemg merely 
for the good of the service. „. , ^ \ nr^rr. 

At this house we learned of a Capt. Richardson, who cm^ 
manded a company of guerrillas, and who was at ^ P - c^W 
Bethel church; and immediately we set ou for the pom nd> 
cated, but found only one of his men and two ';»- • ^ / " 
one had given notice of our approach. This f llow was ut 
ea^ng the camp with two very fine animals; -^ --n s h 
discovered us, he darted off down a narrow ■^^f^^^ll^i 
mediately after him. Before we reached the road a "---'] 
into it with a pair of wild young steers hitched to a ca,t and 
as we charged down, the steers ran off, following closely the 
as ™<; «'>"'Sf ,^^^;„„„ became exciting. Away we all went, 
'XX the ^uTxen making about e.ual time with the fiying 



330 AN EXCITING PURSUIT. 

rebel, and we doing our best to dash by them, and the vehicle 
to which they were attached, to catch the Johnnie. 

The driver of the steers was short, thick, and fat; and when 
the cart was thumping over roots and stumps, he threw himself 
down on the bottom of the bed. and fairly roared with fright and 
pain. The punishment he endured must have been severe ; for 
sometimes he would be thrown three or four feet up in the air, 
and then fall back again into the cart with a thump that made 
him roar again. But as we lost the guerrilla by his team get- 
ting in our way, we pursued him on, chasing him another mile or 
so — indeed, until the cattle were completely exhausted, and 
could run no more. We then reached the Athens road, and 
there gave him a little parting advice ; for we felt sure that he 
was the man who had warned the guerrillas of our approach ; 
and after concluding our admonition, we struck out toward 
Athens. 

This was once a handsome little town, the buildings possess- 
ing taste, and being of a substantial character ; and it has been 
rendered somewhat famous as the first place where one of our 
commanders promulgated the doctrine of retalliation. At the 
time we passed through it, it was almost in ruins ; the chief 
buildings having been burned by order of Gen. 0. M. Mitchell, 
in retalliation for guerrilla depredations. 

From Athens we proceeded to Huntsville, and thence to 
Brownsboro, where we found Gen. Crook, who was highly 
pleased with the success which had attended our efforts. 

As the General expected to remain for som^e time in command 
of the second cavalry division, he at once made a detail of scouts 
to operate with me ; his plan being to have them well drilled in 
their business, and then employ them in acquiring information 
of affairs within the enemies lines ; and also as flankers and fly- 
insr sentinels when the command was on the march. The men 
detailed were a gallant set of fellows, and they did a great 
amount of good service ; but Gen. Crook being ordered to Vir- 
ginia, was succeeded by Gen. Garrard, who did not approve of 
our " style," and so disbanded our organization. 



A REBEL CONSCRIPTING OFFICER. 331 

Soon after being detailed on this service, we were sent out on 
a scout by Gen. Thomas, the object being to burn the bio- rail- 
road bridge at Augusta, Georgia ; and if it were possible to do 
so, the one across the Congaree, on the road between Branch- 
ville and Columbia. Aiken was another desirable point to reach 
where we might do incalculable mischief to the enemy's com- 
munications ; but Augusta was the grand objective point, as here 
was located the most extensive powder mill in the entire Con- 
federacy, as well as one of the largest, best, and most important 
bridges. To destroy either the powder mill or the bridi-e, was 
to inflict irreparable injury upon the rebel cause, and hence the 
importance of success. 

We set out in the winter, and succeeded in getting as far as 
the little town of Murphy, in Cherokee county. North Carolina, 
where we found the snow was so deep in the mountains that it 
was impossible to proceed farther ; and we accordingly turned our 
attention to affairs in the immediate vicinity of where we then 
were. We were accompanied by a party of citizens, who aided 
us to the extent of their power, and gave us all the information 
we needed. We ascertained that one Col. W. C. Walker, who 
formerly commanded a brigade at Cumberland gap, but who was 
noAV at home with plenary conscripting powers, was creating 
much trouble in the county ; he being enagaged in carrying into 
effect his sweeping powers, with all the energy at his command, 
and all the cruelty of his nature. He had already sent a large 
number of unwilling conscripts to his camp, on Notely river, 
some of whom, however, managed to desert, and reached our 
lines, reporting to Col. Long, then commanding the forces at 
Charleston, on the Hiawassee, in Tennessee. Nothing discour- 
aged, however. Walker continued to pick up men wherever he 
could find them ; and although he had but forty or fifty men in 
camp upon whom he could rely, he had a full set of officers in 
camp for a maximum regiment — that condition of officers being 
the result of the inordinate ambition of the Southern, or perhaps 
I should say secesh heart. 

After mature deliberation, we concluded to abandon our 



332 "yes, boys, I'll surren — ." 

original mission altogether, and take the " dashing" Colonel 
prisoner, and conveying him back "with us to Chattanooga. 
Subsequent events, however, convinced us of the truth of the 
Old adage, that it takes at least two to make a bargain ; for the 
Colonel refused to be taken. 

As soon as it was dusk, on New Years' night, of 1864, we 
sallied out from a place of concealment, and went to \yalker's 
house, and after surrounding it called upon him to surrender. 
He immediately demanded to know who we were, and we replied 
that we were Yankee soldiers ; and that if he gave himself up 
he should be treated like a gentleman, and " as a prisoner of 
war ;" but he replied with an oath that he would do no such 
thins;. I then informed him that resistance would be useless, as 
his house was surrounded, and that we would take him, dead or 
alive. He responded to this threat, with : 

" / will surrender when I please." 

Knowing that he had constantly about him a body guard, I 
concluded to storm the house, before they had time to rally to 
his assistance. Seizing the door step, which was a short, heavy 
log, I broke in the door, in front, while the men behind the 
house proceeded to demolish that in the rear. Walker retreated 
to an inner room, and made a stand to sell his life as dearly as 
possible, twice more refusing to surrender. We soon demolished 
the two doors to this room, as we had done the outer ones. Still 
anxious to save his life, I drew a bead on him with a pistol, and 
ordered him again to yield himself a prisoner. He was standing 
with a Sharp's carbine, almost ready to shoot, before I succeeded 
in drawing my pistol ; but, fortunately, I was too quick for him. 
Seeing I had the advantage, I again called on him to surrender, 
when, after a moment's hesitation, he replied : 

" Yes, boys, I'll surren — ," and partly turned to lay his 
carbine on the bed, when his wife caught my arm, and, by a 
violent jerk, destroyed my aim. Quick as thought he wheeled, 
and raised his gun to shoot me, but the other men had got in, 
to assist me, and as his wife still clung frantically to my arm, 
his daughter, a beautiful young lady, threw herself partially 



REBEL COL. WALKER KILLED. 333 

between us ; still, however, he appeared bent on shootino- me, 
and I told the boys to fire on him ; and Jack Cook, of the 37th 
Indiana, discharged his piece, and sent a bullet through his heart, 
and he fell dead at our feet, without a groan or a struggle. 

The work had been more quickly done, than it requires me to 
relate it ; and as we had no time to lose we prepared for defense. 
We heard quite a large party in another part of the house; 
Ave formed before the door of the room occupied by his body 
guard, and rushed at it; and I succeeded in throwing myself, and 
log of wood, on top of the shattered door, in the middle of 
the room, and directly among the rebels, who were now prepared 
for a serious resistance ; but our onset was so impetuous, that 
for a moment our enemies were paralyzed, and in that brief in- 
terval we gained a decided advantage, being the first to come to 
an " aim" and the Johnnies at once surrendered. There were 
six or eight of them, including Walker's son, who was the 
Serf^eant Major of the regiment ; and we captured the entire 
party, without firing a shot. 

After we had secured our prisoners, we took the Colonel's 
horses, as Avell as all that we could gather up in the neighbor- 
hood, and started on our return to Chattanooga. Our route was 
a tedious and laborious one, over the Frog mountains, which were 
then covered with ice and snow — the cold being intense. 

The view from the top of Frog mountain, is one of the grand- 
est in North America ; but we had no time to enjoy the 
magnificent scenery, as there was every prospect that we should 
be rapidly pursued. At Murphy, seven miles from Walker's 
house, were about thirty home guards ; at Bucktown, five miles 
away, were also about the same number; and at Blairsville 
was Young's whole battallion, Avhile there were but ten men in 
my party, besides a few citizens — rather a small number to 
venture so far in the enemy's country. We were, however, 
well armed and equipped, and bountifully supplied with ammuni- 
tion. 

After nearly freezing, two or three times, in the mountains, 
aaid suffering severely from hunger and fatigue, we at length 



334 CONVERSION OF A NOTED REBEL. 

readied Charleston, and turned over our captives to Colonel 
Long, who was still in command at that place. 

We traveled so fast that young Walker was seized Avith a 
violent pain in the breast, so I thought rather than be hard on 
him, I would parole, and leave him, which I did at the house of 
a noted secessionist ; and he promised to nurse him till he 
became well enough to return to his family. 

Some time after this I was in South Carolina, and heard, 
incidentally, that young "Walker had run off to that State, in 
order to save himself from being killed by his Union neighbors. 
He might as well have braved it out at home, for a Union man 
in South Carolina killed him on Tiger Tail creek, and sent his 
body to Walhalla. 

Before leaving North Carolina, I turned another prisoner loose, 
with instructions to notify every officer of Walker's command to 
leave the country at once, or I would return with a stronger 
force and send them all after their colonel ; and while passing 
through the country some time after, I learned that they had all 
obeyed my injunction. We likewise, in one place, called for a 
certain Captain Stanhope Anderson, but he Avas not at home ; so 
we took down his knapsack from a nail Avhere it hung, inspected 
his papers, and then threw the Avhole outfit it contained on his 
own fire ; then took his pistol and ammunition, broke into his 
apple holes, and helped ourselves to all we could carry with us; 
after Avhich we directed the overseer to inform the captain that 
if he didn't quit the rebel service, and turn to be a good Union 
man, we Avould come back and take his life. On going back, I 
found that he, too, had heeded our admonition, and that he was 
then thoroughly loyal, and the original Unionists in the vicinity 
all spoke well of him since his change of views. 

When he entered the rebel service, he swore, in a public speech, 
to come back Avith death in his hand, or victory on the point of 
his swcrd; and I think he OAves me a real debt of gratitude for 
working his conversion without driving him to extremeties. 

I only relate this incident here as an illustration of a view I 



CANOE VOYAGE TO CHATTANOOGA, 335 

have always entertained, viz : That public opinion is an article 
of manufacture, as Avell as boots or shoes. 

After reaching Colonel Long's camp at Charleston, and rest- 
ing ourselves, we started for Chattanooga, taking canoes at Cot- 
tonport; and on arriving at my place of destination, I reported 
to General Thomas, after which I returned to Huntsville, to 
General Crook. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

BRIDGE BURNING EXPEDITION TO AUGUSTA. 

We scouted awhile for General Crook, then for Colonel Miller, 
and Gen. Logan ; and upon orders from the last named, we burned 
up nearly all the distilleries in North Alabama; but when Gen. 
Garrard took command, as already stated, the scouts were dis- 
banded, and I returned to Gen. Thomas again. 

Nothing worthy of narration occured to me now, till the ad- 
vance from Chattanooga upon Rocky-face Ridge, Avhen I partici- 
pated in part of one day's fight. 

The project for the destruction of the railroad bridge at Au- 
gusta had been recently revived. If that structure could be des- 
troyed, it could not be repaired for months, and the damage to 
the enemy's communications would be worth an immense amount 
to us. Could I slip around and burn it? And then amid the 
confusion resulting from it, would it not be possible to give a 
little attention to the powder mill, and blow it to fragments? 

1 started for Nashville at once for an outfit, consisting of 
matches of a peculiar manufacture, phosphorus and steel arrow 
heads for throwing it; and while in the city, I was joined by a 
man named Charles R. Gray, who volunteered to go with me. 
We set out from Nashville for the front, and arrived there during 
tlie battle at Rocky-face Ridge, and we both went in. It seemed 
to be a free fight, and every man I saw was doing something, 
and of course I could not be idle. The rebels had a decided ad- 
vantage in position, being at the top of the ridge; and they 
wounded a great many of our men, by rolling huge stones down 
on them. But I did not get to see all of the battle, as early on 
the mornincr of the second day, wc set out on our journey — Gen. 
Thomas having just commenced a maneuver to flank the enemy 
on the left, as stated. 



HARD ON OLD SPIKES. 337 

We went to Chattanooga by railroad, riding on the General's 
" dummy" car, and from thence proceeded to Charleston, Tennes- 
see, on a freight train; and from that point we were compelled 
to fall back on first principles — to travel on foot. 

From Charleston we followed theHiawassee some distance, and 
then leaving the river, crossed the Frog mountains again, and 
then returned to the river, at Murphy, in Cherokee county. On 
the way we encountered some tough times and some pretty merry 
ones. On one occasion we stopped with an old man, whose 
family consisted of himself, wife, three daughters, and a daughter- 
in-law, all of whom were Union, except the last named, who was 
secesh to the back bone, and was prepared at any moment to do 
anything in the world for the rebel cause. We were not in the 
house long before we made ourselves famihar — Gray, my partner, 
directing his conversation to the daughters, while I entertained 
the daughter-in-law, and soon had her convinced that we were 
rebels in disguise. She was pleased that we were devoting our 
attention to the Hiawassee valley, and wished us every success 
in our enterprise, Avhatever it might be ; and when I told her my 
business was ferreting out deserters, who were secreted in that 
region by the Lincolnites, her admiration of our patriotism was 
unbounded. 

After thus gaining her confidence, I began questioning her as 
to the different bodies of troops stationed higher up the river, 
and through which we were compelled to pass, and I found her 
thoroughly posted ; and the information she gave me proved, on 
subsequent observation, to be correct. To my inquiry about 
the state of the country, and as to whether there were any law- 
less characters infesting the mountains, she replied : 

" No ; there are none now, nor has there been since last win- 
ter, when Old Spikes and a lot of Yankee bushwhackers came 
upon Persimmon creek and killed Colonel Walker. Ever since 
that time the country has been mighty quiet." 

"Wasn't his name Pike, instead of Spikes?" I inquired. 

" Yes, yes ; that tvas it ; and they say he was a mighty hard 
case — a perfect savage," said she. 



338 A REBEL WIDOW. 

" But what was our cavalry doing," I asked, " that they 
did n't pursue and capture the villains ? 

" "Well ; a lot of Colonel Young's home guard did get after 
them," was the reply, " but they killed the colonel in the night, 
and took to the mountains right away, and our men never found 
them." 

She Avas eyeing me curiously now, and presently she asked : 

" Stranger; what is your name?" 

" Frank Barton, madam," I replied, without hesitation. 

" Where are you from ? " she inquired. 

" Waco, Texas," said I ; and I launched off into a description 
of Texas and its people, stock raising, agriculture, etc., and 
soon got her thoroughly convinced that I was really telling her 
the truth. 

We had an excellent supper here, and pushed on up the river. 
Whenever we found a friendly neighborhood we would stop at 
houses ; but, when we would n't like the appearances, we would 
hide out in the woods. When we lay out we would steal 
chickens and take them into the woods with us ; and if we failed 
on poultry, we killed a hog : and as for bread, we never thought 
of it. When Ave got into the neighborhood at the base of the 
Blue Ridge, we found the people very much exercised in regard 
to their stock. The rebels had sent them word to have their 
cattle gathered, as they would be after them in two or three 
(lays, to take them off to the army. It Avas Colonel Thomas — 
the notorious Bill Thomas, commanding a legion of Indians, 
who sent them the order ; and the people were fully determined 
to resist the seizure of their stock, and sent Thomas word that 
if he got their cattle he must gather them himself. There Avere 
perhaps sixty able-bodied men, who were armed and Avilling to 
resist if the rebels came into their neighborhood to enforce the 
order ; and Gray and I joined the insurrectionary forces and 
helped to promote the spirit of resistence among them. We 
Avaylaid the pass in the mountains, through Avhich the rebels 
must necessarily come, for a couple of days; but Thomas must 



THE BLUE RIDGE. 339 

have learned, by some means, that the people were armed and 
awaiting for his arrival, as he did not come. 

We practiced target-shooting, one afternoon, with several 
of these mountaineers, just for the sake of making a favorable 
impression among them. Gray held a cap box between his 
thumb and finger for me to shoot at, and to show the confidence 
we had in each other we exchanged positions, and I held the box 
is a mark for Gray's bullet. The distance was fifty yards. 

Early on the morning of the 20th of May we scaled the Blue 
Ridge — a very severe undertaking, and one which caused us 
great labor and fatigue. When one stands at the foot of the 
mountain and looks up, the summit appears wrapped in a blue 
haze ; and when on the top, looking down, the foot appears 
belted in blue, a shade or two deeper than azure. 

From the summit of this ridge the view is indeed grand and 
picturesque. Other mountains rise up in every direction, to 
meet the vision — " Great Smoky," in East Tennessee, being 
among those distinctly visible from the point where we then 
stood. It is no unfrequent occurrence for it to be raining 
down in the valleys, while on the summit of the ridge the sky 
is perfectly clear and the sun shining. Going along the top of 
the Long Ridge, or as the natives call it, the Ridge Pole, we 
were astonished at its bight and singular formation — it being, I 
believe, the most elevated point of land in the Alleghany 
mountains, though my data on this subject is by no means pos- 
itive. The summit of the ridge is extremely narrow — being 
not more, in many places, than six or ten feet in width — the 
descent on the west side being regular, but steep, while on the 
east it is little else than a precipice for a thousand feet down. 

One particular feature of these mountains is the fact, that both 
sides and tops are covered with a deep, rich soil, of very dark, 
or black color, the tops, however, being so high as to be desti- 
tute of timber. 

Descending to the foot of the ridge, on the eastern side, we 
came to the head waters of the Tallulah river — so called by the 
Indians, on account of its extraordinary falls, which arc, per- 



340 DESCENDING THE TUGALO. 

haps, the highest in the country, though no single fall is as high 
as others which might be mentioned. There are five cataracts 
in a quarter of a mile, the water descending four hundred feet 
alto<];ether. The roarino; of the waters can be heard an incred- 
ible distance ; and no wonder that the red men named it Tallu- 
lah — thunder river. 

We followed the stream to its junction with the Chattooga, 
where the two form the Tugalo, being conducted on the route by 
a man named Ramy, whom we hired to pilot us through the 
most dangerous sections of the country, the distance being 
twenty-eight miles. He was a perfect specimen of a back- 
woodsman, and loyal, after the most rigid definition of that 
word. Near the mouth of the Chattooga a brother of his 
lived, who had a son in the rebel army and who was a violent 
secessionist. He was member of Young's Georgia cavalry, 
which was at Clayton, then only six miles away. 

On the west side of the Blue Ridge, we had frequently passed 
off as rebel soldiers in disguise ; but generally for Union men — 
always suiting ourselves to the company we were in, or as our 
interests demanded; but on the east side, we knew that we had 
nothing to expect from citizens if we claimed to be Yankee sol- 
diers, as they Avere nearly all against us, and, therefore, we almost 
uniformly represented ourselves as rebels on our way to Augusta 
to join our regiments. We belonged, we stated, to the 4th (con- 
federate) Kentucky Cavalry. But we had as little to do. with 
the people as possible ; but when we could not avoid meeting 
them, we told this simple story with occasional variations, to 
satisfy the curious and the doubting. 

Young Ramy was at home when we reached his father's house, 
and in the morning we left early, telling the people we were 
going to Walhalla, to get on the morning train ; but as soon as we 
were out of sight, we turned down the Tugalo, and stole a canoe, 
below the first shoals, and traveled constantly till we ran our 
boat aground on a shoal, and were compelled to abandon it and 
»vade ashore, trusting to our chances to obtain another craft. 

When daylight overtook us, we hid out in the mountains, on 



IDLE INDIANS. 343 

Brasstown creek — a stream noted for its liigli cascades. Travel- 
ing on the river by night or by day, as best suited our purposes, 
we finally reached the head of the canal, seven miles above Au- 
gusta ; one day, at noon time, we passed through a section of 
the country where a large number of Col. Bill Thomas' Indians 
were quartered — some farming, some tending stock, while others 
were making baskets, and yet others were fishing. All appeared 
busy, in a lazy sort of Indian way; and most of them had been 
wounded in the rebel service. Being unfit for active duties, they 
had been sent to this part of South Carolina to recruit themselves, 
and to raise something to support the tribe who were entirely 
helpless. They were Cherokees, who have always lived on the 
Tuckasege river, and at Qualla town, on the Qualla river, in 
North Carolina. They were the saddest appearing Indians I 
ever saw, and seemed to have lost the last vestige of that firey 
independence which characterizes their race : and as far as I 
could discover, they had not been benefited by intercourse with 
the white race. 

The Tugalo is one of the most beautiful streams I ever beheld. 
Its banks are finely diversified with mountain scenery, generally 
in the distance ; while the bottoms are in the highest state of 
cultivation — indeed, some of the finest plantations, and best 
built mansions in all the southern country, are on this river. 
At times, the water, which is always clear, runs smooth and 
deep, for some distance, when suddenly it is broken by shoals, 
miles and miles in length; the current roaring and dash.ing 
among the rocks, with astonishing velocity ; so that to navigate 
tlie surging waves, required all the skill and presence of mind 
we could muster. 

After the Tugalo makes its junction with the Seneca, the 
stream takes the name of Savannah, or as the mountaineers call 
it — the Sav-a-naw. Below the mouth of the Seneca, the river 
rapidly widens, and the water assumes a yellowish or muddy 
color, and it is full of wild and dangerous shoals. The bottoms, 
on either side, are wide and well cultivated; but on account of 
the fearful freshets, caused by the rising of the mountain streams 
20 



344 DOWN THE SAVANNAH. 

above, there are no houses built near the river — they generally 
being from two to three miles back, and sometimes even farther 
than that ; so that we seldom saw any one, save the slaves, and 
their overseers — the former being the most abject human beings 
I ever saw. Occasionally, the overseers themselves were black, 
and as far as I could see, they were equally severe on the labor- 
ers, with the white men. 

There are no towns at all, immediately on the Savannah, 
above Augusta. Occasionally we would meet a keel boat com- 
ing up to the plantations after corn for the rebel army, they be- 
ing propelled by poles, and manned by negroes — the man in 
charge occasionally being a white man; usually, however, he 
was as black as a crow. Almost every boat contained half a 
a dozen rebel soldiers as a guard ; and these would sometimes 
hail us as we passed ; but as they could not stop without "losing 
deal" with the current, we would not, for fear of losing deal with 
them, and therefore, our conversations were of brief duration. 
If we happened to meet on a shoal, they had always as much 
as they could do to climb up over it, and we had all we could do 
to keep from being dashed to pieces among the rocks, so Ave 
paid little attention to each other. 

There appeared to be a continual falling of the river from the 
mountains to Augusta; but from there to the coast, I believe 
that the stream is exceedingly smooth and placid. Some of the 
shoals above, are miles in extent; and each is known to the 
keel boatmen by some significant name. Among those which 
we deemed from observation to be the most dangerous, are the 
Little river shoals, so called because they are just below the 
mouth of Little river ; the Elizabeth shoals — but why so called 
I am not aware ; and the Trotter shoals, named from the fact 
that on ascending them with a keel boat, the crew is compelled 
to trot with their poles to make headway. 

This last named rapid is seven miles long, and is one continu- 
ous hill in the river, down which the current rushes Avith fright- 
ful velocity, the channel winding back and forth from shore to 
shore, while the stream itself winds around, with zigzag curves, 



~ FEARFUL RAPIDS. 345 

and is thickly besprinkled with rocks ; so that the water is 
lashed into white caps and foam — the waves rolling short, quick, 
and angrily, to an incredible hight. 

Another dangerous rapid is the Ring Jaw shoal, not far from 
Augusta ; the river here being almost dammed up by great 
rocks, among which the current forces itself with a short twist, 
from right to left, and back again with such power that the pass- 
ing boat is nearly wrung in twain, as it proceeds. Another 
shoal, about the last in the river, is near the head of the canal, 
and is called Bull Sluice, and is somewhat after the fashion of 
Ring Jaw, and about as dangerous. 

To add to the dangers we encountered in navigating the 
stream, we had to run over several mill dams, some of which 
were from six to eight feet in perpendicular hight; and 
there was but a single method of passing them, and that was to 
go over. These dams were invariably built of loose rocks, of 
great size, piled on the shoals, sometimes from shore to shore, 
but occasionally only forming a wing, partially across. .These 
mills were almost the only signs of habitation ; the structures 
being generally strong frames, and they were kept constantly 
running ; but as they had all been seized by the rebel govern- 
ment, it was with the greatest difficulty that the people could 
get either meal or flour. Still the citizens of this section of 
South Carolina lived far better than did those of any other sec- 
tion of the South which I have visited during the war. They 
all seemed to enjoy plenty, and it was of the best quality ; but 
the white women, as a general thing, were not good cooks — from 
a lack of practice, I presume — and the negroes were usually too 
careless to prepare a meal properly. 



CnAPTEE XXXIII. 

BLOODHOUND CHASE — TAKEN PRISONER — DRUNKEN AND EXCITED REBELS. 

On the night of the 3d of June, 1864, we arrived in Ham- 
burg, opposite Augusta. The first thing necessary now, Avas 
to see how affairs stood in town, and we accordingly ascended a 
hill immediately back of it, Avhere we could see, not only all 
that was going on in Hamburg, but much that was transpiring 
in Augusta. We secreted ourselves under a dogwood tree, 
which was low, and covered with vines, thus forming an excel- 
lent hiding place. If no one passed, and made it a special 
business to look in, we were perfectly secure; and at that place 
we patiently awaited the approach of daylight. We had learned 
on the day previous, that the powder mill was so closely guarded, 
that nothing could be accomplished there, so that we directed 
our best efforts to the destruction of the bridge. 

My plan, before leaving camp, had been to float down under 
it in a boat, and throw burning arrows into it, provided I saw no 
chance to mug the guard, and do it boldly. At the foot of the 
hill we heard a good deal of talking, and could not account for 
it ; but when it got light enough to see, judge our astonish- 
ment to find ourselves within seventy-five yards of the railroad, 
and right before us was a long train loaded with federal pris- 
oners; while farther down in the town we could see several 
other trains of the same kind. The town was full of captured 
Union soldiers, and as near as we could guess, there were twelve 
hundred rebels guarding them. The situation was most embar- 
rassing; to stay where we were was almost certain destruction, 
and an attempt to go elsewhere would be certain to be dis- 
covered. But the best we could do, was, evidently, to keep 
quiet in our hiding place, bad as that was. We hoped that in a 
little while the trains would fire up and leave; but on the con- 



UNION PRISONERS AT AUGUSTA. 347 

trary, they lay there all day. We could see, too, that there was 
a strong and vigilant guard upon each end of the bridf^e; and 
we could discover patrols walking the streets in each town, and 
in every direction. The prisoners, as usual, looked half starved 
and sickly ; some were clad in bright, new uniforms, and looked 
well, and it was easy to divine that they were only recently cap- 
tured. These were in tolerably good spirits, too, which was a 
sure sign that they had not been long in the hands of the cruel en- 
emy. Others, again, were not quite so well dressed, and looked 
meager and thin, but were not despondent. These had probably 
been prisoners for some months ; but by far the greater number 
were clothed in rags, which were in the most filthy condition. 
They looked very much emaciated and weather-beaten, and their 
dejected and hope-forsaken countenances, spoke plainly of along 
and soul-sickening captivity. Poor, wretched, starved, dejected 
and sick, they were being moved to that loathsome den, and 
wholesale place of murder — the Andersonville prison. Of course 
we did not know their destination for certain, but we judged it 
from the fact that all the engines headed west. 

It was now clear that we were to be unsuccessful. Nothing 
could escape the vigilance of that guard, either on land or on 
water. It was positive that we were played out on that string, 
and what to get at next, we did not know ; and even a chance 
of escape at all argued extremely doubtful. We remembered 
that on the Tugalo river we had passed under a very fine frame 
bridge, for ordinary travel, across the Tugalo ; and we thought 
we must do something to damage rebeldom, and we therefore 
made up our minds to go back and try to burn it, but we had 
better have gone straight through to the coast and made our es- 
cape, as I believe we could have done, without detection. 

From our place of concealment we could see the arsenal in 
Augusta, the powder mill up the river, and nearly every impor- 
tant building in the place ; nevertheless, we dare not move from 
our retreat, for fear of being seen. The poor prisoners were 
kept under the strictest surveillance, lest they should attempt to 
escape, and a great many of them, as we could see, were pros- 



348 FRIGHTFUL REBEL CFXELTIES. 

trated and helpless from disease. "We almost, oui-selves. sick- 
ened at the sight of these poor, suffering men ; and at the cer- 
tainty that vre were powerless to help them. Thev were crowded 
into the cars and on top of them, as thickly as they could be 
packed ; and to hear the sick pleading for water, was most heart 
rending. Poor fellows I some of them would beg until they ex- 
hausted themselres, before it would be given them^ and what 
^dded to the cruelty of this neglect, and to the tortoi-e of the 
men, was the fact that there was plenty of water but a few yards 
away. 

The dav wore on, and long awaited nio-ht closed in at last ; 
and we then stole from our hiding places, and took the road 
back up the river. About four miles from Hamburg we " con- 
fiscated'' a couple of fine horses — the property of a man named 
Kambo. I am inclined to think we were discovered, just as we 
led the horses out of the stable, for I heard some one speak at 
the house, though it was after midnic^ht. On the following 

> c o o 

morning, we stopped at a blacksmith shop, to have one of the 
horses shod ; and while there, were overtaken by a pursuing party 
of four men, who demanded the animals. I felt confident that 
quite a force was after us. and that this was but the advance guard; 
and as our object was to gain time, and get into the swamps, and 
timber, we gave up the horses, unconditionally, and without 
reluctance ; saying at the same time that it was very hard to 
have to foot it clear back to Franklin. 

" What are vou going to Franklin for," said the leader of the 
party. 

" Why, our command is there," I answered, in an off hand 
manner. 

'• What are you doing here, in this State,'*' he demanded. 

" We are on special service for Col. Thomas."' 

" TMiat is the nature of your service," he asked. 

" 0, we are making preparations to move the Indians all over 
the mountains, into South Carolina ; they are about to starve to 
death up there in Qualla town. We are compelled to do some- 
thing to keep them from suffering." 



BLOODHOUNDS ON OUR TRAIL. 349 

" AVel], if you are soldiers, and going back to your command, 
■n-e don't want to stop you, but really we can't let you take the 
horses," they replied. 

It Avas such a common occurrence for Kebel soldiers to steal 
horses, that nothing was ever thought of it, so after recoverin"- 
the animals, this party was satisfied to start back. We could 
have whipped out the squad, for they were unsuspicious, and 
gave us every advantage ; but we knew very well that if we did 
even kill every one of them, it would do us no good, for the 
whole country behind us was now alarmed, and before nic^ht it 
would be aroused far ahead of us. 

As soon as this affair was settled, we took the big road, until 
out of their sight, and then turned into the woods. ^Ye then 
took every precaution to break our trail ; wading mile after mile 
in swamps, and up creeks, picking our way on rocks and hard 
ground ; but all to no purpose ; for it was only a couple of hours 
until we heard the deep mouthed bay of the blood hound, 
running on our track. AYhen we heard the dogs, we were laying 
down to rest, and had taken off some of our clothing to wring 
the water out of them. Hastily putting on our clothes, and 
accouterments, Ave sprang off through the woods, at our highest 
speed, practicing every art known to woodsmen, to break our 
trail ; but we were unsuccessful ; the dogs Avere unerring. At 
one time the hounds would be within distinct hearing of us; and 
then we Avould run our very best, until we came to water, and 
then Avading through, or up, or down it, Ave would break the 
trail so badly that we Avould balk the hounds for some time; but 
occasionally Ave had to stop to take breath, and then in a b;ief 
time we would hear them coming again. Once Ave made a laigc 
circle through the woods and doubled on the trail ; and this time 
Ave started them to running a back track, and thought Ave Avere 
rid of them entirely ; and as it Avas late in the afternoon, and 
Ave hoped to escape in the darkness, we rested a few minutes, 
and then traveled till nearly dark; when, being tired and 
liungry, we concluded that it could not make the matter much 
Avorse to stop at a house and get some supper; but just as Ave 



350 ENCOU^:TEIl Vv^ITII THE DOGS. 

approached one, "svc heard tlie dogs close behind us. "We sprang 
over the fence, and across a plov.'cd fieki, and for a while suc- 
ceeded in baffling our pursuers. We then crossed t^Y0 fields, and 
gained a dry swamp, the brush and timber being very thick and 
dense, so that it wos with difficulty that v,e could make our way 
throuiih it; and it Avas not lonir till the dogs struck the right 
trail, and quickly we heard them crashing through the bush, 
close behind us ; and we were compelled to make a stand 
at once, and fight with dog, or man, or anything that 
approached us. On came the hounds, through the thick under- 
growth, making the deep forest echo with their savage baying, 
until, with a sudden bound, their leader was upon us, his eyes 
glaring, and his mouth foaming. For an instant he paused, as 
he saw us through the gloom, and the next n^adc a spring 
directly at Gray's face. He was large, and snow white, and this 
made him the better target ; and as he sprang at my com- 
panion, I turned upon him, and fired, and he fell dead in an 
instant. But at that moment the whole pack rushed upon us, 
more like demons, than even dogs ; and it was with difficulty 
that we could see their dusky forms amid the gloom, but their 
glaring eyes served as guides for an almost unerring aim ; and 
when we had discharged nine shots, we had killed one dog and 
Avounded four more. The flash of the pistols kept the dogs at 
bay, wonderfully, but did not drive them off ; and scarcely had 
we fired the last shot, when the men came up, forcing their 
horses through the bushes, cursing and swearing like mad- 
men. When they got within about a hundred yards of us, we 
baited them, saying that if they did not stop, we would fire on 
them. 

'' Who are you ?" demanded one of the men. 

"Yankee soldiers," I answered. 

" What are you doing in our country ?" they inquired. 

" We are here by order of our General," was the response. 

"IIow many are there of you?" tliey next wanted to knoAV. 

" Two." 

"Are you up a tree?" asked one. 



A PARLEY. 351 

" No ; we are not the sort of men to take to trees," we informed 
them. 

" Have you killed any of our dogs ?" 

" No," said I, and then whispering to Gray, we moved out to- 
ward them, some distance from the dead animal; then hailing the 
men, I said : 

" There are but two of us, but we are well armed, and can do 
you a great deal of damage, if you drive us to it. We know 
that JDU. have a strong force after us, for we have seen you two 
or three times to-day ; we know that resistance on our part would 
only result in useless bloodshed ; still it is our privilege to sell 
our lives at as dear a price as we can make you pay ; but we 
don't want to hurt you, nor do we want you to hurt. us ; and, 
therefore, if you will agree to treat us as prisoners of war, we 
will surrender without a fight, because we see that one would be 

useless." 

" You will soon be made to surrender on our terms," was the 

response. 

" Then approach us at your peril," I answered, "for we intend 
to shoot as long as we can crook a finger." 

During this parley, another large party had joined the first, 
and we could now hear them disputing among themselves, when 
presently they hailed us cheerfully : 

" Halloo, Yank." 

" Halloo yourself," we replied. 

" If you will surrender, we will treat you as prisoners of war, 
and there shall not one hair of your head be touched," said the 
commander of the party. 

"All right, sir," said I; "on these conditions and no others, 
you can have our arms." 

I then invited two of their men over to take our weapons, but 
they asked that we should fire them in the air first ; but I objected, 
as evincing a lack of confidence in our honor ; but the truth was, 
the loads had all been tried on the dogs, but they fiiiled to go, 
and I did not want them to know how helpless we were. They 
then told us to stand still, and they would all come to us ; and 



352 THE SURRENDER. 

they at once flanked out on both sides to surround us, every now 
and then uttering assurances that we shoukl not be hurt. 

Finally they approached us direct and demanded the arms ; 
and while the process of surrendering was going on, Gray, who 
was one of the coolest men I ever met, began to crack jokes with 
them to give them confidence in our intentions — inquiring the 
"news from Virginia," and asking them what they were going 
to feed us on, and if they had any coifee ; and on receiving a 
negative answer to his last question, ho next asked for whisky ; 
and to this they replied "plenty," and promised us a drink. 
But no sooner were our arms delivered, than they changed their 
manner. One of them, named Chamberlain — a Massachusetts 
Yankee, as I afterward learned^ — swore by his Maker that if we 
had shot one of the dogs, he would have retaliated by killing a 
man ; and at once they commenced looking around among the pack 
to see if any of them were hurt; but it was so dark, and the dogs 
were so restless, that they were unable to ascertain what damage 
was done; nor was it ascertained till next morning. 

The party that captured us, after a little parley, got the other 
squad pacified and set out on the road to return; and on the way 
we stopped at the house where we had intended to take our sup- 
per — the name of the owner being Series — and it is located on 
what is known as the river road to Abbeville court house ; and 
here we were met by another pursuing party, madder and drunker 
than either of the others. Indeed it was the most excited and 
drunken mob I ever saw; and I never expect to look on its like 
again. It required all the address we possessed, to save our- 
selves from the infuriated crowd — seventy-five in number, while 
a glance at the dogs, shoAved that there were thirty-six of them — 
a very respectable force to capture two men. Our surrender 
had been made to Lieut. Col. Talbot, and Capt. Burt, commanders 
of the party. 

Mr. Series was a gentlemanly old man, and I am persuaded, 
did what he could to pacify the crowd. His wife, a good old 
lady, also did what she could for, and seemed to sympathize with, 
us ; but their two daughters were of a different style altogether. 



FEMALE FIENDS. 353 

Tlicy ran through the excited and drunken croM-d, beo-o-ino- and 
pleading ^Yith the infuriated wretches to hang us, exclaimin*^ : 
" Do n't let them live, men ! don't let them live!" and these ex- 
pressions were not without their effect upon our captors. For 
once in mj life I saw the "■ seccslC heart thoroughly ^' fired:' 
The drunken mob rolled around us with pine-knot torches flick- 
ering in their hands ; and the smoke and glare added to the 
hideousness of their excited countenance's, and gave to the scene 
an additionally diabolical appearance. 

We told them that if we had to die, it would at least be o-ene- 
rous to give us a good supper, before sending us on our lono- 
journey to the other world ; and on hearing this, the old man 
Series walked around among the crowd and invited them to dis- 
mount, and take supper with him ; and in this, I could readily 
perceive that he was anxious to gain time for us. Lookino- at 
their jaded horses, he took care, further, to remind them that 
they had ridden very hard, and were killing their stock; and 
added that he had plenty of corn, and that he would take it as a 
favor if they would all stop to eat. A number then began to 
dismount and feed their horses, while some of them, who had 
cooled a little from the effect of passion and whisky, began to 
ride off, in twos and threes, to their respective homes. Some 
twenty or thirty militiamen remained for supper, keeping a strict 
guard over us all the time. 

A Col. Harrison who belonged to the party, now took the lead, 
and questioned us strictly, but failed to elicit any information 
as to the whereabouts of our troops. We were examined sepa- 
rately, but our stories agreed exactly, as we had conferred 
together, and concluded to " plead guilty " of being scouts, in 
order to keep down suspicion as to what we really had been 
commissioned to do. We had driven our arrow heads all down 
in the ground, at Hamburg, when it was discovered that we 
should have no more use for them ; and when we saw escape 
impossible, we threw away everything but our arms and ammu- 
nition ; so that nothing was found upon us to cause our real 
aiission to be detected. 



354 LED OUT TO BE EXECUTED. 

At length the party finished their supper at Searle's house, 
and remounted, starting for Col. Talbot's house, ten miles dis- 
tant ; and this we reached before daylight. Here a part of our 
captors left us, and we were turned over to another guard, who 
allowed us to lie down in the parlor, and sleep till dawn. 

On waking, we saw not one of our captors — all being gone ; 
our guards being entirely new men. The whisky bottle was in 
circulation, and it was not hard to discover that trouble was brew- 
ing. Fortunately, however, they had not patience to wait to 
get drunk, before they attempted to carry out their projects. 
It was plain to see that we had been entirely abandoned by those 
to whom Ave had surrendered, and who were in duty bound to 
protect us ; and that we had been purposely left in the hands of 
a party who had made no stipulations ; and we therefore pre- 
pared for the worst. 

When they roused us up, which they did in a rough, insulting 
manner, they told us to get ready to go with them ; and as soon 
as we raised to our feet — which it was very difficult for us to do, 
on account of the race we had made the day before — they com- 
menced to tie Gray with a rope ; and after getting him secured 
to their notion, they put him under a strong guard. Turning to 
me next, they took another cord, and pinioned my arms behind 
me as tight as they could draw the rope. It was a severe 
operation, and it was performed by a muscular negro, who did it 
under compulsion ; and when completed, they led me out to a 
big tree, in the edge of the woods, taking the negro along, carry- 
ing an extra rope. 

When at the tree, they asked me if I had any confession to 
make ; but I replied I had none to make to them; and they then 
said, if I desired to pray, they would allow me a few minutes to 
prepare for eternity. I told them that I did not want to pray; 
that I was ready to die, and that I did not fear death. 

" Have you nothing to say?" they asked, with astonishment. 

'' Yes ; I have a few words to say that may interest you,'* I 
Baid quietly. 

" Out with it," replied their spokesman ; and I went on : 



A WARNING TO THE MOB. 355 

" You perhaps have never been concerned in military affairs ; 
you are not sokliers, and have nothing to do with the Confeder- 
ate army. You are citizens. You are now about to commit an 
act that will meet with the severest punishment that military law- 
can inflict. We arc United States soldiers, acting in dischar^-e 
of our duties. You, as citizens, have no right to interrupt us. 
Now, I perceive that you are all old men; and have sons in the 
Confederate army, perhaps. Oar General wull retaliate if you 
hurt a hair of our heads. If you hang one or both of us, he will 
hang man for man. IIow do you know but he will select some 
of your sons. He will be sure to do it if he learns the part you 
are taking here; and you will find it impossible to keep him 
from discovering this. Then you are all rich men, for I have 
heard your talk in the house, and your appearances indicate you 
to be men who do not labor. Now we are members of separate 
regiments ; I belong to the 4th Ohio, and Gray belongs to the 
5th Iowa, cavalry. If we are hung, and our regiments ever find 
you out, as they will be sure to do, if ever they come into this 
country, they will burn every dollar's worth of your property they 
can discover ; and they will hang every man they can catch who 
was concerned in the transaction. If you are prepared to make 
this sacrifice, I am." 

A little non plussed, they now left me under guard a short 
time, and went off into the woods, as I supposed, to talk the 
matter over ; and when they came back they took me to Talbot's 
house again, and untied us both. Talbot then brought out a 
decanter of whisky to treat all hands ; but in his conversation 
he made an insulting remark, to the effect that he wanted to 
drink first, as he would rather drink after the blackest nigger he 
had than after a Yankee, whereupon we refused to drink with 
them. 

On the night previous, as they were marching us along, one 
villain tried to shoot me in the back ; but although the cap 
bursted loud and clear, the gun missed fire. He told bis com- 
panion, and I overheard him, that his piece was loaded v.-ith 
twelve buck shot in each barrel ; and when he made the attempt 



356 AT Talbot's house. 

to fire, he was not more than the length of the horse behind 
me. 

While Talbot's folks were preparing breakfast for us, they 
made an estimate of the distance we had run the preceding 
day, reckoning from place to place, and they reached the con 
elusion that we had traveled at least eighty miles. I had my- 
self, already estimated the journey at sixty miles, after we 
left our horses, which was at a place eighteen miles from Ham- 
burg. The time consumed in this trip, was from two o'clock of 
one morning, till the same time the next — twenty-four hours in 
all; and it was the roughest day's travel I ever had ; it being 
doubly severe from the fact that we had to be wet so much, 
wading through the swamps to throw the dogs off the trail. 

I was much pleased with Talbot's wife. She was a perfect 
specimen of a southern lady, in her demeanor, and appeared to 
sympathize deeply with us. She was large, and portly, but very 
fair ; had very long hair, of glossy blackness, and large, brilliant 
black eyes, which, when they turned upon us, seemc?! to be 
struggling to speak ; and they did speak, though not in words ; 
for as I watched their deep expression, they seemed to say : 
"Poor fellows, I pity, but am powerless to help you ! " She pre- 
sided at the table and saw that we were bountifully fed. 

After breakfast, Chamberlain came up, and he and Talbot 
agreed to take us in their buggies, to Edgefield. When Captain 
Burt was about to leave, the night before, he whispered to me 
that he could do nothing more for us ; and that he was afraid 
the mob would not let us live ; and he further informed us that 
men were then scoui'ing the country for the purpose of raising 
a croud to waylay the road for us next morning ; so that if we 
even escaped death at the hands of the party in charge of us, it 
was almost certain we should be taken from them next day, by 
men who could not be appeased. 

He shook hands with me kindly when ho left, and said he was 
sorry for us, but he had done all he could do to save our lives, 
and keep with us ; and that the excited fools were now getting 
an<]rrv with him. I then thanked him, and he left us. Cham- 



INFURIATED SOUTH CAROLINIANS. 357 

berlain's manner had altogether changed since his night's sleep. 
When he left us he was the most vindictive man in the party; 
but now he was one of the most mild, and considerate. 

A pair of handcuffs were put on Gray, and he was put in Tal- 
bot's buggy ; after which I was securely tied with a rope, and 
given over to Chamberlain. 

"\A hen about to start. Chamberlain asked Talbott which road 
they should take — the upper or the lower ; when I turned around 
and said : 

"You will do us a favor by taking us on the upper one." 

He looked at Talbot as if in doubt ; but he soon perceived 
that I knew the danger, if we went the other way, and Talbot 
turned and took the route we desired, and we arrived safely at 
Edgefield Court House. On the way. Chamberlain was full of 
talk ; and I soon perceived that he was a very vain man, and I 
plied him so well with "soft soap" that, by the time we reached 
Edgefield, he was almost a friend. 

The town was full of excited men, and fearing the mob, our 
keepers hurried us off to jail, and turned us over to the Sheriff, 
until an assistant Provost Marshal could be found ; and on en- 
tering the jail we were at once put in solitary confinement ; and 
in a short time we were separately taken before the Provost 
Marshal's ajjent, who I soon discovered was a consummate vil- 
lain, conniving at our seizure by a mob. He was about to re- 
fuse to receive us at all from the militia, but there happened to 
be a rebel Lieutenant near, and who said he was on duty there, 
and that he would represent the confederac}' ; and he ordered us 
in jail, subject to the orders of the military authorities at Aug- 
usta. Failins: to <:et us to "blow" on each other, or our ofE- 
cers, they put us in solitary confinement again. 

The jail at Edgefield is the strongest one I was ever in in the 
South ; and that is saying a good deal, as I have been kept in 
several, and am therefore competent to judge. We had a sorry 
time of it — the jailor telling us once, that the people outside 
were so infuriated, that he feared they would tear the jail open, 
and take us out and lynch us. 



S58 OFF FOR AUGUSTA. 

Detectives were employed to quiz, and even lawyers sent to 
examine us ; but they found out nothing. They got hold of our 
journal in cipher, and that gave them the greatest uneasiness, 
as they imagined it contained some great military secrets. 

About the 9th of June, our cells were thrown open again, and 
we were allowed to come out in the light; and then at once 
transferred to Captain Dearing, and a guard of twelve well armed 
men, whose duty it was to escort us to Augusta. After intro- 
ducing himself and stating his business, the Captain informed 
us that the citizens were swearing that we should not be taken 
from Edgefield alive ; but he said that he would take us, never- 
theless, at the risk of his life. 

"You shall not be mobbed," said he, "while you are under my 
care." 

We were heavily ironed, and chained together, and then put 
in a wagon, which was driven rapidly aAvay from town before the 
crowd of citizens could rally. 

It was forty miles to Augusta, and before we had got hardly 
away, our mule team broke down, and we had to walk several 
miles with our handcuffs and chains, a very fatiguing process ; 
but aside from this, our guard was kind, and supplied us with 
provisions from their rations. 




si/':/""'"^^^«'5 



CHAPTER XXXIY. 

THE WHIPPING POST — TORTURING NEGROES — STARVING OUR PRISONERS — THE 
CHARLESTON JAIL OUR OFFICERS VINDICATED. 

At Augusta "we were put in close confinement again, under 
the tender auspices of a man named Bridges — a New York 
Yankee. He certainly can boast, hereafter, of one thing: the 
discovery of the smallest amount of food which is required to 
support human life. We were in the jail at Augusta -57 days, 
and at the end of that time, were so starved as to be mere 
shadows of what we were. I could no longer walk steadily, and 
felt as weak as when just beginning to walk after a severe 
attack of typhoid fever. 

At the end of that time, Captain Bradford, the rebel Provost 
Marshal, came to see me, and we had a very pleasant conversa- 
tion. He said that he used to be a scout in their service, and 
had been promoted for meritorious service. He informed us that 
our case had been submitted to their Secretary of War, and that 
the order was " close confinement during the war." Capt. 
Dearing also used to call and see us, once in a wliile ; and the 
Catholic priest there. Rev. Father Dugan, once called to see me; 
aside from these, we never saw any one but the turnkeys, unless 
it was a prisoner, or some one who wanted to see a prisoner, 
while we were there. In the cell opposite mine was a man confined 
for whipping a negro to death, while in that on my right, was a 
negro charged with murder ; in a neighboring cell was a Yankee 
confined for bigamy ; nearly over my head, in the second story, 
was a negro woman, held for attempting to poison her mistress ; 
aad somewhere near her was an Italian soldier, in the Federal 
service, whom the rebels claimed as a deserter from their army. 
The " big room" was filled with rebel deserters, thieves, pick- 
pockets and all sorts of petty villains. 
21 



362 THE AVniPPIXG POST. 

In tlie next cell above mine, was an "institution" wliicli lias 
been a curse to our country, and a disgrace to our own character 
as freemen; and an "institution" wliich has been the witness of 
more agonizing torture in the South, than any of us can 
imagine — tlie whipping j:?os^— that ready means of inflicting 
terrible and summary punishment, without any trial or other 
law, than the caprice of the master, or mistress. I did not see 
this machine, because I never got up there ; but managed to 
draw an accurate description of it from Luck, a negro, who was 
undergoing sentence upon it, and had been whipped upon it 
repeatedly. He described it as being made of heavy square 
timbers, in the form of a cross ; and at the ends of the arras 
were iron fetters, made to clasp around the wrist, and hold them 
outstretched ; and at the bottom were similar irons to secure 
the feet. The victim is first stripped naked, then stretched upon 
the cross, and made fast, when a turnkey plies a whip, with y 
short handle, and a broad heavy strap, punched full of holes for 
a lash, and which is, altogether, about two feet and a half long. 
The strap strikes flatwise, and wherever there is a hole through 
it, a blister raises in the skin; and if it be a heavy blow the 
edge of the leather around the openings cuts the skin open, 
around the blister, and the wounds bleed profusely. 

There was scarcely a day that there was not one whipped, 
while I was in that jail ; and sometimes there were as many as 
six flogged in one day ; and generally from three to five. I 
have counted the blows at times, and once they numbered one 
hundred and eighty-seven, when the punishment was stopped, 
by the victim becoming insensible. lie must have been a very 
robust man, for most generally when they were whipped so 
hard, they would faint under from twenty to forty lashes — 
according to the force with which they were laid on. It was 
the custom, the turnkey said, for the careful master to stand by, 
to regulate that matter to suit himself. I could generally give 
a close estimate of the age of the slave they were punishing, by 
tlie sound of the voice. Sometimes the pleading would be heavy 
and strong, as though it came from a large man ; at other times 



A MEAN REBEL GENERAL. 363 

I could hear the waih'ng cries of a feeble, and sometimes of 
a healthy young woman; and occasionally I heard children 
screaming under the terrible torture; and once in a while I 
would recognize the trembling voice of an old man. Their 
struggles would, at times, be almost superhuman, as they 
writhed in their iron manacles ; and I have often stopped my 
ears to shut out their heart-rending supplications for mere}-. 
This whipping was generally done by a young man named 
Evans, a turnkey, and the head jailor Bridges, who, as previously 
stated, was originally from New York. The young man, who 
was in jail for helping to whip the negro to death, said that they 
only struck him eighteen blows ; but that after he was let down, 
they allowed him to drink too much water, and that killed him. 
" Oh," he said, " they kin stand several hundred, ef you don't 
let 'em git too much water, while they are hot." 

Filled, as this jail was, with all sorts of villains, guilty of 
every degree of crime, it was certainly a hard place for 
any man to find himself. 

When we had been there fifty-seven days, we were taken by a 
Captain Gunn, under a strong guard, to Charleston, and there 
turned over to Maj.-Gen. Jones, who, I am sorry to have to 
say it, robbed us of two hundred and eighty dollars in Con- 
federate money. "Well, it was n't much in quantity, and was 
worth perhaps less in value, but it really looked mean for a 
Major Gene\-al to steal from us what even the militia allowed us 
to keep. At Gen. Jones' quarters, Captain Gunn and guard 
left us. They had treated us like gentlemen, and when we were 
hungry they divided their own rations with us, for the authorities 
gave us NONE to travel on. I wonder how they would have liked 
their men traveled on empty stomachs ? On the train I saw Dr. 
Todd, President Lincoln's brother-in-law, and he seemed like a 
very clever man and a gentleman. He gave each of us a nice, 
light roll and some ham.; nevertheless, he was a strong "secesh." 
When a command of rebel soldiers began to talk roughly to us, 
he would say : 

" Come, boys, let us be generous to prisoners." 



364 IMPRISONED IN CHARLESTON. 

He had charge, as I learned, of a very large hospital, at or 
near Charleston. 

Gen. Jones (oh! the villian,) sent us down to Charleston jail, 
■with orders to have us kept in close confinement, and he allowed 
us no liberties whatever. At the jail, the guard turned us over 
to the keeper — one John Simes — who, though not a very clever 
man — that is, I do not believe he would steal anything he could 
not carry off — had some good traits about him (for what thief 
h;is not) ? He put us in the " tower," which is the strongest 
part of the building, and the reader can, perhaps, imagine our 
feelings, at thus being kept five months, confined under the fire 
of our own guns, on Morris Island; the shells bursting around 
us constantly, all the time we were there, and when one of the 
shells from the huge three hundred pounders would explode in 
the vicinity of the jail, it would rock the tower to its foundation. 

In a few days after we were incarcerated in this place, twelve 
hundred of our officers were brought to the city, to be put under 
fire of our own guns, in retaliation for the shelling of the city; 
and among them, was Lieut. Henry, of my own regiment, who 
had been captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and with him 
was Major Beatty, of the 2d Ohio infantry, and from them I ob- 
tained a knife and a small file, to make some keys with, for the 
purpose, if possible, of making my escape. I had intimated my 
desire to them, and they tossed the instruments into my cell, 
through the grating, as they were going up into the drum of the 
tower to sleep. 

I saw them once, after, for a few minutes, " on the sly," and 
learned that they had been brutally treated, as had been all their 
comrades, since the battle of Chickamauga. 

In my prison were about thirty colored soldiers, belonging to 
the 54th Massachusetts infantry, who had been captured in the 
attempt to storm Fort "Wagner. Poor fellows ! they had a 
sorry time of it, as the rebels had a particular spite at them ; 
and some of their number, I learned, had been sent off to the 
country, to men who claimed them as slaves. One — a fine look- 
ing fellow, named George Grant — had so far gained the confi- 



COLORED SOLDIERS IN PRISON. 865 

dence of the rebels, that he was made a sort of turnkey over 
the prison ; and he succeeded in getting a Union woman to 
bring him a piece of thick brass for us to work into keys. It 
was a piece of stair carpet bar, and was just thing we wanted. 
Through a man named Leatherman, I got a note to Lieut. 
Stokes, of the navy, and requested him to write to my father, 
and let him know how and where 1 was. Stokes had been 
brought to the place for exchange ; and I will take occasion here 
to say that I have it in my power to vindicate our officers from 
the charges so often brought against them by our enemies, of 
not caring for the welfare of the soldiers, and that they were 
selfish, and ambitious, and were indiflFerent as to what became of 
us, if they only could get place and power, and were able to 
make money out of the war. Here was an officer of another 
arm of the service than that to which I belonged, who had 
never seen me before, who knew nothing in the world of me, 
but who interested himself deeply in my case ; for as soon as he 
was exchanged, he wrote the following letter to my father at 
Hillsboro, Ohio : 

"New York, October 26th, 1864. 

11 giR :_I have just returned from the South, a paroled prisoner. While 
I was confined in Charleston, S. C, I saw your son, James Pike, who was 
in solitary confinement in the jail, together with his comrade Charles Gray, 
and was able to correspond with them. They told me they were captured 
near Augusta, Ga., in uniform, and under arms, and on "special duty" for 
General Thomas ; and also wished me to write to you when I was released, 
and tell you that he was quite well and in good spirits ; but they were 
looking rather pale, poor fellows, from their long imprisonment and short 
rations of food. I was kept in the jail yard, while they were in the build- 
incr I communicated by means of a negro boy who carried water to them. 

- I promised them when I got out, I would do all I could for them. I 
have just written to Col. Mulford, Assistant Agent of Exchange, and to 
Gen. Thomas in their behalf I can not promise they will be able to efi-ect 
your son's release, but they will do all they can, I think. 

" 1 had an interview with Col. Mulford on the flag-of-truce boat commg 
down the James River, and he told me to make the statement in writing, 
and it would receive attention. 



366 OUR OFFICERS VINDICATED. 

"I saw your son last on or about the 6th of this month. I trust, sir, he 
may soon be restored to you. I am, respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" Thomas B. Stokes, 

" Acting Ensign, U. S. N." 

This letter "was received on tlie 4th of November; but my 
father had previously written to the War Department, and re- 
ceived the following answer : 

" War Department, Washington City, 
"October 5th, 1864. 
" Sir: — Your communication of the 28th ultimo has been received, and 
I am instructed to inform you, in reply thereto, that the Department will 
use all the means in its power to effect the release of your son. Corporal 
James Pike, of the 4th Regiment Ohio Cavalry, now held in confinement, 
as you state, at Charleston, South Carolina. — Very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" Louis II. Pelouze, 

"Ass't. Adjutant^eneral, 
"Mr. Sajiuel Pike, Washington C. tl., Ohio." 

From Gen. Grant he also received the following note : 

" Headquarters Armies of the United States, 
" City Point, Ya., October 24th, ISG4. 
" Mr. Samuel Pike, Washington, Ohio: 

" Sir : — I am directed by Lieut. -General Grant to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of September 28, and to say that he perfectly recollects the 
services rendered by your son. In regard to an exchange. Gen. Grant 
hopes during the coming winter, or perhaps earlier, to be able to effect the 
liberation of all our soldiers now in the hands of the enemy. — I am, sir, 
very respectfully, 

" Your obedi'^nt servant, 

" Adam Badeau, 
" Lieut.-Col. and. Mil. Sec." 

The man who, above all others, has always been most system- 
atically abused, is General Butler. He has ever been repre- 
sented by his enemies as m cold-hearted tyrant in his dealings 
with our soldiers, and has been constantly blamed by the rebels 



BEN BUTLER PUTS HIS FOOT DOWN. 867 

with retarding all their pious (?) efforts to effect speedy ex- 
changes ; but the following letter completely vindicates him from 
such slanders, if nothing else would : 

" Headquarters Dep't of Virginia and North Carolina 
" Office Commissioner for Excuange, 

" Fort. Monroe, Va., Dec. 18th, 1864. 
" Sir :— In reply to your communication of November 14th, the com- 
manding General directs me to inform you that he has ordered a rebel 
prisoner, now in Fort Delaware, to be held a hostage for your brave and 
gallant son. 

" The prisoner is of the same rank as your son, and is to be subjected to 
the same treatment as your son receives at the hands of the rebels. 

" lie sympathizes deeply in his sufferings, and hopes by these means he 
may soon be released. — Very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" Henry H. Bennett, 

" Private ISecretary. 
Samoel Pike, Esq., Washington C. H., Ohio." 

My father also received a very kind letter from Gen. Thomas, 
promising to render me all the assistance in his power ; and the 
correspondence ought to satisfy any one, that our officers, so far 
from neglecting my interests, were really bestowing more atten- 
tion to my case than I deserved; nor do I believe they ever 
neglected the interests of any soldier whose situation Avas prop- 
erly brought to their notice. But to return to my narrative, 
after this digression. 

We remained in Charleston jail for five months, and during 
that time I communicated with a Georgian, named Jim Robin- 
son, who agreed, that if we could make the keys, he would sliow 
us a sewer under the tower, leading out beyond the prison w;ills 
and the guards ; and with this understanding we labored for weeks, 
making in all about thirty different keys, out of tin, bone, etc., 
besides eighteen out of brass. These latter were filed so as to 
fit the locks, and with them we were enabled to open every door 
leading to the sewer. We then opened the cell doors, and let 
the Georgian out during two successive nights; but each time, 
when he got out, he was seized with fear, and, trembling. 



368 'treachery of a Georgian. 

would excuse himself, promising go if we would wait another 
night; hut in the meantime he communicated the whole affair to 
the jailor, who searched for the keys, and found them in Grant's 
cell. 

In prospecting ahout to get the keys, they seized Grant by 
the throat to frighten him ; but he struck the traitor Robinson 
with a large pocket knife, and cut him through the instep of one 
of his feet. After this failure we were too closely watched to 
get any chance to escape, and so had to "sweat it out" as long 
as the rebels could keep us in that jail. 

Our rations were a pint of meal, and half a pound of meat per 
day, and when Ave failed to get the former, we had rice or cow 
peas dealt out in their stead. Much of the time, however, we 
failed to get meat, and often our meal would be so must}- that 
we could scarcely swallow it, although always ravenously hun- 
gry. The rations were always cooked for us, and brought once 
a day; and we had our choice either to eat them up at once, ur 
set part of them aside. We could not, however keep it long, as 
the foul air in the cells would spoil the best of food in a few 
hours; and we, therefore, speedily acquired the habit of eating 
but once a day. The quantity of food given us, to tell the truth, 
was not more than sufficient for one light meal. 

The Sisters of Mercy came to see us, after they found out our 
condition, as often as the jailor would allow them to do so, or as 
they could find time. They always brought some little delicacy, 
and to them we were indebted for about all the medicine we got. 
"We were badly afflicted with scurvy, and they sent us potatoes 
and vinegar,- which nearly cured us ; while a priest — Father John 
Moore — supplied us with books, thereby giving us an opportu- 
nity to spend our time profitably and agreeably. We were en- 
abled to get light enough to read, provided the sky was clear, by 
sitting at the grating door, which we were allowed to do four or 
five hours each day; but if the sky was shrouded in clouds, the 
gloom of the tower was like that of a dungeon. 

In cell No. 8 was a Union man named Webb, in No. 10, an old 
fisherman, and in No. 11, an Irishman, all of Avhom had been in- 



KEPT IN FILTH. 369 

carcerated for aiding our officers to escape; and it ^-as tlirouf^h 
Mrs. Webb that the Sisters of Mercy heard of us. 

During the first sixty days of our imprisonment we could o-ct 
no water with which to wash our clothing; and during the entire 
Winter we slept on the floor without covering, but a short time 
before we left Webb was released, and he gave us his blanket 
and a Mrs. Trainor got an opportunity to smuggle in another 
one. The jail, too, was literally swarming with vermin, and to 
add to our discomfort, the inmates of the jail were keeping up a 
continual noise, so that rest Avas nearly impossible. In addition, 
when the air was full of fog or clouds, the inner work of the jail 
was ahvays streaming with water, which collected on them, and 
which caused the floors to be continually damp. 

The cell in which we were confined so long had a front of 
eleven feet, with a rear six feet four inches broad, in the tower, 
and its width was also six feet four inches ; and often, for weeks 
together, Ave were not allowed to step beyond the doors of this 
narrow cage. 

But why add more relative to the horrors of this filthy pen? 
He who has never experienced the torture of a Southern prison- 
house can form no idea of the wretchedness inclosed; while the 
tens of thousands who have been incarcerated therein^ but who 
have been fortunate enough to escape death, need no words that 
they may appreciate the cruelties inflicted. 



CHAPTER XXX V. 

ADIEU TO CHARLESTON — ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS — ARRIVAL IN THE tJNIOH 

LINES. 

" It is a long lane that has no turn," says an old adage ; and 
our captivity, like all things earthly, came to an end. When 
Gen. Sherman moved upon Branchville, the evacuation of Charles- 
ton became a military necessity ; and when the rebels left the 
city, Gray and myself were sent to the jail at Columbia, the 
capital of South Carolina. The presence of Sherman's army 
appears to have almost worked a miracle, for from the time we 
were lodged at Columbia, we received the best possible treatment. 
Our keeper was Capt. Semmes, whose whole conduct toward us 
was that of a gentleman, though a bitter rebel; and I got along 
finely, except in a single instance. 

We were put in a room in which th^re were about twenty-five 
persons, twenty-one of them being deserters from our army, and 
the remainder prisoners of war. Of course, we could never 
agree with the deserters ; and they put at me to convert me to 
their, "faith," or rather lack of faith, which occasioned me to in- 
sult them, and for this I Avas soundly whipped for it in less 
than three minutes. I was not strong enough to fight them, for 
they were just from the north, and had been well fed and were 
in good health ; while I had been shut up so long on short allow- 
ance and unwholesome food, that I had little strength left ; never- 
theless I went in whenever opportunity oflFered, and always came 
out second best. Fearing if ever I got north again I would re- 
port them, they concluded to take time by the forelock, and 
reported me to the rebels as a spy ; and either Capt. Semmes or 
his Lieutenant, gave an order that my hair should be cut oiF as 
a punishment: and accordingly four of them seized me and held 
me down, while a fellow named Jim Brown, a deserter from the 



OFF FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 371 

31st Illinois, hacked off mj hair. This miscreant is a man about 

six feet high, with dark hair and eyes, and swarthy complexion 

a very talkative man— and, I believe, a fiddler. He was raised in 
the Sequatchie valley, in Tennessee, but for several years has 
been living in Franklin county, Illinois ; and he, together with 
the whole vile crowd, took the oath of allegiance to the Southern 
Confederacy, and were sent back north as a reward for their 
rascality. They should forever be excluded from society for 
their crimes. 

When Gen. Sherman's army invested Columbia, the rebels took 
us out of jail, and put us under fire of our own guns ; but what 
for, we did not know. There were about sixty of us altogether, 
and among the number was the Colonel of the 1st Georgia Fede- 
ral regiment; also a Capt. Harris, of the 3d Tennessee Cavalry, 
who had been in close confinement for two years and a half — 
heavily ironed all the time ; and during the whole period had 
been kept in one room, outside of which he had never been. 

While we were under fire, a piece of one of our Rodman shells, 
weighing about five pounds, struck me on the left shoulder ; but 
as it was a glancing blow, it did no other damage than to stiffen 
my arm a little. 

That night (I believe it was the 17th or 18th of Fel)ruary), 
the rebels started us off for Winnsboro, to put us on a train and 
run us to Salisbury, North Carolina. This was the first time 
they had tried to do anything with us on foot ; and about three 
miles from Columbia, as we were going down a hill, where on the 
left hand side of the road there was a bluff several feet high, 
almost perpendicular, Gray sprang down the bank and escaped 
to the woods. The rebels fired about twenty shots at him ; but 
I afterward saw him, and he told me that although several balls 
cut close, none of them touched him ; and he told me that he got 
to the Congaree river, and swam over it next morning to our 
army. 

I went on with the rebels till the next night, and then I left 
them; and the way I escaped was this : we had been marching 
hard all day, and at night all hands were very tired. We only 



372 ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS. 

liad one skillet for the whole purtj to bake bread in, and I rose 
about two o'clock in the morning and began to cook. After 
awhile I wanted wood, and going up to the dead line with an ax 
on my shoulder, I got permission from the guard to step over to 
a tree top that lay just at their feet to supply myself. They 
thought, I suppose, that I Avould not attempt to get off, and they 
allowed me this small privilege; I had struck but few blows 
with the ax before they turned their heads to watch the other 
prisoners ; and as that was my only chance, I was off at once, 
and made the best time I ever did. After running about three 
hundred yards, I halted and looked around; but I had not yet 
been missed, and I then felt perfectly safe. I took the best 
course I could through a swamp and Avood, and then struck out 
for Columbia. I did not, however, proceed far before I came in 
sight of camp fires ; and immediately I commenced a reconnois- 
ance. Stealing close to their pickets, I discovered rebel cavalry, 
and away I went once more through the woods, like a race 
horse — keeping all the time, however, in sight of the camp fires; 
^or I knew that if I followed their direction, I would soon pass 
the rear-guard of the rebel army and stand a chance to fall in 
with our own troops. 

It was not long before day-light overtook me, and I was ob- 
liged to conceal myself in a little cane-brake, in a narrow 
swamp. When I entered it I felt sure that nothing but an acci- 
dent would save me from discovery ; but there was no other 
chance, and into it I went, waist deep in water. After travel- 
ing about a considerable time, I discovered a place which af- 
forded as much security as, and a little more comfort than, any 
other; and after arranging the brush I laid down on a little 
knoll of dry earth to rest. 

From my hiding place I could distinctly see a brigade of rebel 
cavalry, encamped on a hill but three-quarters of a mile from 
me; and from the arrangement of the camp I knew it was on 
gome road. All day long, not daring to move, I laid and shiv- 
ered in my hiding-place ; and at one time a number of soldiers 
approached near me, while driving out cattle from the brake — 



SEEKING INFORMATION. 378 

eight of tliem coming within a few feet of where I laid ; but I 
was not discovered. 

That night I struck the raih'oad, and traveled — sometimes near 
and sometimes on it — as my judgement dictated most prudent, 
until I was at length interrupted by a body of water, which I 
took for a river. The railroad bridge over it was very high, but 
was in flames and rapidly falling down ; so I crept up to it to 
consider the chances of crossing the stream. I saw a picket 
post about a hundred yards from the stream, but there appeared 
to be no guard at the bridge itself; so I hastened up to it, 
mounted the lower timbers, which did not appear to be on fire, 
and on them I made my Avay nearly across, when I discovered ' 
that a portion of them had already been burned out, so that I 
was compelled to go back again, and I was fortunate enough to 
escape detection, and was soon once more in the woods. 

Near the bridge, at a mill, were three hundred rebel cavalry ; 
and just above were camp-fires enough for a division of infantry. 

Before I struck the railroad, I slipped up to a house to in- 
quire something about the country ; for I did not know for cer- 
tain that I was traveling in the right direction to strike our 
troops ; but I was under the impression that Sherman had taken 
Columbia, and was therefore aiming for that point. Creeping 
quietly up to this house, I was just about to rouse the inmates, 
when a man on the opposite side shouted : 

*' Halloo, the house ; " and in a minute he was answered by a 
woman. 

" We want," said he, " to get some feed for our horses ; we 
have been riding all day, and our stock is very tired and hun- 
gry, and if you have any corn or fodder we want to get it." 

The woman asked what they belonged to, and they answered : 
"Wheeler's cavalry." 

" Gentlemen," she said, " we have no corn or fodder, only 
what we buy and pay the money for. We did not raise any this 
year ; our crop failing entirely. If we let you take Avhat we 
have on hand we will have to pay out more money to replace it, 
and that would be rather hard, you know." 



874 GETTING THE INFORMATION WANTED. 

" 0, yes, madam ; " was the reply, " we know that ; but you 
might as well let us have it as the Yankees. They will be along 
here to-morrow and take every thing from you they can find." 

This was news to me — just what I wanted to learn. 

"Are the Yankees that near?" asked the woman. 

" Yes, madam ; they are not more than two miles in the rear 
of our army now, and Avill be along here sure, to-morrow." 

" Why, I thought they were away the other side of Colum- 
bia," responded the woman. 

" 0, no ; they captured Columbia day before yesterday," said 
one of the party. 

" Well, if that is the case," she answered, " you can take all 
the corn and fodder we have got. You will find it down at the 
barn." 

Now the barn was almost behind me; and when the woman 
told them where the forage was they started instantly for it. 
Just on my right hand was a low shed, that had been built to 
shelter sweet potatoes, which had been buried under it ; and the 
hills were covered with pine boughs, which made it very dark 
under the roof; and as it looked like a good hiding-place, I 
dodged down there, but fell headlong on an old sow with a litter 
of young pigs, and some half a dozen full-grown shoats. Here 
was a rather unpleasant situation ! The hogs, alarmed and in- 
dignant at the unceremonious intrusion, made a great noise, of 
course ; and, as they rushed out, they threw down a part of the 
shanty on my head. 

I now laid myself down flat on my face, in one of the ditches, 
alongside of a sweet potato " hole," and hoped to escape detec- 
tion ; but that hope was a fallacious one. Scarcely had I 
straightened myself in the ditch before tAvo enormous dogs 
leaped over the fence and made directly for me. There was no 
time to lose, I thought, and I sprang from under the shed and 
was off, like a race-horse, over the white sand ; nor did I stop 
to look behind until I had cleared three fences. 

On turning around, finally, I discovered the rebels at the 
barn, some dismounted, but others on their horses looking for 



AN INSECURE HIDING-PLACE. 375 

me, as if exceedingly anxious to discover my whereabouts; but 
none of tliem attempted a pursuit. Nor would it then have been 
any use, as I had reached the edge of the brush, through which 
they could not have ridden. I suppose they believed me one of 
their own men, as their camps were so near. 

After my attempt to cross the burning bridge, I picked my 
way around a great swamp, and came to a large plantation ; and 
hoping that I might get a boat to cross the supposed river, be- 
fore daylight, I went to the house, which was not more than a 
quarter of a mile from the largest camp I had seen ; but 
when I reached it, I looked up and thought day-light was ap- 
proaching and I must secrete myself till the following day, 
when I felt sure our army would pass by and I could join it, 

I looked all around, and the best hiding-place I could discover 
was under the house ; so I laid down on the ground and rolled 
over and over till I got to the chimney, where I thought I was 
pretty well secured from observation, and then fell asleep. 
Presently, however, some one in the house began to stir the fire, 
and that waked me up ; and, on looking about, I saw immedi- 
ately above me a wide opening in the floor, so that the inmates 
of the house could certainly see me if I remained where I was; 
and of course I had to "evacuate" the position. 

When I got out daylight still appeared no nearer, and I conse- 
quently, concluded I must have been mistaken, and I therefore at 
once determined to rouse the people, and stand off in the dark 
and talk to them, and learn what I wanted about the country 
and the armies. First, however, it was necessary to reconnoiter 
the position, and I went to the end of the house, where I found 
n little hole in the window, which was curtained. Throu-Th this 
hole I thrust a finger, and was enabled to graduallv remove 
the curtain so as to see the fire-place ; and there was an old 
darkey down on his knees, with his back to the fire and his 
breast resting on a low stool. He was very old and very 
fleshy ; and he evidently had not been to bed that night. I 
wondered at this, and went around to the door and opened it 
very gently and put my head into the room, which contained 



376 TALK WITH CONTRABANDS. 

two beds, in each of which were two white men. On the posts 
were gray coats, and at the head of each bed were two guns, 
and on one was a saber ; so regarding this as a rather dangerous 
place, I did not pursue the " reconnoissance " further, and I 
dosed the door and left. 

On the other side of the yard a light was streaming through 
the window of a negro house, and I went over and peeped in 
and found a black man sitting by the fire, half asleep ; but with 
a low "whistle" I brought him to his feet as quickly as if he 
had been bitten by a rattle-snake, and I at once called him, in a 
whisper, to the windoAV. I told him I was a Yankee soldier in 
great distress ; that I wanted to come in and warm myself, for 
I was nearly frozen, and adding that I was very hungry. 

"You can't come in heah, sah," said he; "my boss is in de 
nex' room wid four or five soldiers, an' if dey ketch you, fore 
God, dey kill you." 

" Can you not, then, give me something to eat ?" I asked. 

"Ain't got a bite cooked, sah; soldiers dun tuk all we had, 
sah," he replied, 

" Then, you can tell me a good place to go and hide, can't you ?" 

" Right down dar, sah ; across dat ole fiel'; dar 's an ole house 
you can go an' git inter." 

I only asked him the question to make him believe I was go- 
ing in one direction, when I would strike out in the contrary 
one as soon as I was out of his sight. 

From this plantation I continued to follow the course of the 
water I wanted to cross, and in a short time I came to another 
plantation. In each corner of the yard at this place, there waa 
a large log cabin standing; and selecting the one I judged to be 
occupied by the blacks, I approached it, and knocked at the door, 
and almost instantly a huge house-dog came bouncing at me 
from the other buildino; ; and as I thought there might be rebel 
soldiers sleeping there, I declined an engagement with the ani- 
mal, and ran off down to the stables, and climbed up in a loft, 
after Avhich the dog returned to the house, apparently well satis- 
fied with his exploits. 



RECONXOITERING A NEGRO CABIN. 379 

As soon as he became quiet, I got down and stole up to the 
house again, and softly opening the door, went in. The fir«t 
thing I now did was to feel around over the beds to see if any 
one was sleeping in the house ; but they were all, empty. I then 
examined the table and cupboard, trying to discover something to 
eat, but found nothing. Then I stirred the ashes to see if I co'lild 
raise fire enough to warm and dry myself, and while doing this, I 
heard some one in the other house opening the door. Knowing 
that it is always best to meet danger half way, I went out into 
the yard, and as soon as I showed myself, was challenged by a 
female voice from the porch. 

^ "What are you doing in my house at the dead hours of the 
night ?" she fairly screamed. 

" Do n't be uneasy, madam," I said calmly, for I was afraid 
she would alarm the camp which was within easy hearing 
distance. 

"Who are you?" she screamed again. 

" I am a soldier, madam, and I want to come in your house, 
and warm myself." 

By the time I said this I was close enough to see her, and dis- 
covered that she had on no article of dress but one of those 
short-sleeved, low-necked garments, made of muslin, which I have 
often seen on clothes-lines, while in her right hand she had a 
vicious-looking rifle, and she looked angry enough to use it. I 
now determined, if possible, to get near enough to snatch the 
gun from her, if she made any attempt to shoot. As I drew 
close enough for her to see the color of my clothing, she hal- 
looed out : 

" You 're a Yankee, that 's what you are !" 
" No, madam," I answered, " you are very much mistaken ; I 
am no Yankee, I am a Texan." 

" Well, what were you doing in my house this time of night ; 

why did n't you come to the house we live in ; what did you go 

there for ? you might have known there was nobody in there." 

" Madam, I am a stranger ; how should I know which house 

you were in ?" 

22 



380 CONFAB WITH A PRETTY WIDOW. 

" Well, what do you want here, this time of night ?" 

" Why, I want to come in and warm, and get something to 
eat, for I am hungry, and very cold and wet." 

" Why do n't you go over there to the camp, and get some- 
thing to eat ?' she asked ; " have n't they got plenty over there ?" 

"Madam," I said solemnly, "there are men over there who 
have not had a bite to eat for three days." 

" Is that so ?" she asked in a relenting tone, and I saw at 
once that I had gained the point I wanted — her sympathy. 

" Yes, madam, that is true, and for my part, I have been wan- 
dering about all night to find something to eat; but the boys all 
said they had nothing, or else that they couldn't spare it, so I 
came oif over here." 

" Poor fellows !" she said, " why, I did n't know our soldiers 
were so hard up as that." 

" Madam, I must come in and warm," I said ; " for I am really 
freezing," and suiting the action to the word, I started in. 

" Well, wait," she said, half scared, " till I make a fire, and you 
may come in." 

In a few moments she had a bright fire of fat pine blazing, 
and she called me in. She had also put her clothes on, and 
wrapped a shawl around her. I sat by the fire some time and 
warmed, when she called to a younger woman, and told her to 
go out in the kitchen and find me something to eat. In a little 
while she returned, bringing a large, " flat cake " of corn bread 
and a piece of raw bacon, which she gave me, and I proceeded 
to appease my appetite. "V\Tien I got through eating, I resumed 
the conversation with, 

" Madam, these are troublesome times, and these are days 
when we all need friends ; you, perhaps, need friends, and so do 
I. You befriend me to-night, to-morrow I may have it in my 
power to help you." 

" Why," said she, " what do you want ?" 

" Madam," I replied, " I don't believe you could find it in your 
heart to injure me, and so I shall make a confidant of you, for 
I need your assistance. I am a United States soldier." 



ONLY A MILL POND. 381 

"There now," she said, in an excited tone, "I said you were a 
Yankee, and you told me, no. Oh ! just think ! what if some of our 
soldiers should step in ; and a body never knows when to look for 
them. What did bring you so close to the camp ? Why if they 
should catch you here they would kill you, and may be me, too ; 
at least, they would take every thing I had in the world. ' Oh ! 
if I had known you were a Yankee, I would n't have let you 
come in." 

" Madam, I am no Yankee ;" I answered, " I am a western 
man ; I told you no lie." 

" Oh, but you are the same thing ; you know we call all your 
men Yankees; that is the only way we always speak of your 
men in our country." 

" Well, madam, you help me to-night, and to-morrow I may 
be able to do you a favor." 

" What do you want me to do ?"' she asked. 
" Why, all that I want now, is for you to tell me how to get 
over this river down here," pointing in the direction of the 
water. 

" Why, bless your soul, that is no river ; it 's nothing but a 
mill pond. Where do you want to go ?" she asked. 

" I want to go to Columbia, or to the nearest camp of Sher- 
man's army." 

" Well, I can put you in a path that will take you out on the 
Columbia road," said she ; and without more ado about it, she 
went out some distance from her house, and showed me a path, 
by following which through the fields, woods, around a swamp, 
and over a ridge, I would eventually come to a big road that led 
to Columbia. 

I thanked her, and she asked me my name, and told me she 
was a lone widow, and her name was Mary Jones ; and she cer- 
tainly was young and beautiful as one could wish. I followed 
her directions to the letter, and found the big road she described ; 
but lo ! there was a big cavalry camp on it. I picked my way 
around this, well satisfied that the woman did not know thej 
were there; so I sti'uck out across woods, and plantations, in 



382 IN OUR LINES. 

the direction I wanted to go, and was soon so far from the camp 
that I believed myself safe, and traveled in daylight, though I 
still kept off the road. 

I was making very good time across a piece of low swampy tim- 
ber land, to a ridge, a short distance before me, when all of a 
sudden, I heard sharp skirmishing on the top of the very hill 
I wanted to reach, and knowing our men were there, I was sure 
that all I had to do was to conceal myself till the rebel rear 
guard was drawn back, and I soon found a hiding place in a tree 
top near by. Covering up my blue clothes in the green boughs 
a while, I found the skirmish had ended, but still the rebels did 
not pass me, as I expected, and I therefore came out and started 
on my journey, and soon found our infantry tearing up the rail- 
road at a rapid rate. I was now free once more, after a long and 
tedious captivity ! Those who have never been captives, can 
little appreciate the feelings of one in my situation at that time. 
The sight of friends, and of the old flag, and the prospect of 
soon again being able to revisit home anti friends, called up feel- 
ings too deep for utterance, too intense for description. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

THE NORTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN — DOWN TRIP TO WILMINGTON' — AT SEA 

DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE. 

On reaching our camp, I reported to Col. Fairchild, who 
treated me with great kindness, and sent me, as soon as I was 
well rested and refreshed, to Columbia, which place I reached at 
night, and on the following morning I reported to Gen. Sherman. 
He was just marching out of town when I found him, and he 
appeared highly gratified at my escape, and expressed a hope 
that Gray would reach him all right. He then sent me to Gen. 
Kilpatrick's command, to get a horse and outfit, which was soon 
obtained, among which was a Spencer rifle — the latter given me 
by Col. Starr, of the 2d Kentucky Cavalry. 

It was not long before I had an opportunity to "see service'* 
once more. Capt. Northrop, of Kilpatrick's scouts, went with 
his men to Wadesboro, North Carolina, and although there were 
but about thirty of us, we charged the place without hestation, 
and drove out about two hundred rebels. It was a gallant little 
fight, but our Lieutenant was killed — the only man hurt in the 
engagement, on our side. We captured a great many prisoners, 
horses, and negroes, which we carried back to the camp. 

A day or two after this afi'air. Wade Hampton mustered up 
pluck enough to give Gen. Kilpatrick battle. Early in the morning 
the Johnnies charged on our pickets, on every road leading to 
camp ; but when they met the main body of our cavalry, they got 
handsomely repulsed. 

When Gen. Sherman reached Cheraw, I went there, in 
obedience to orders, to carry dispatches to certain points, within 
the enemy's country. I traveled with the army, to Laurel Hill, 
in North Carolina, Avhen the General started me from that place 
on the 8th of March, in the night, to go to Wilmington, with 



884 SHERMAN can't WRITE. 

dispatches for Gen. Terry, who was in command at that place. 
It was raining hard, and intensely dark, wdien I left camp ; and, 
as might have been expected, I got lost in the first swamp I came 
to, and wandered around till morning, without getting anywhere ; 
but finally brought up at Gen. G. A. Smith's tent, in another part 
of the swamp. 

Being exceedingly tired, and sleepy, I arranged some rails by 
his camp fire, and laid down to rest. When I did so the ground 
was dry; but when the General woke me up, I found the water 
four inches deep, all around the rails. He then gave me a good 
breakfast, and a pass, as the "bummers" were not familiar 
with Gen. Sherman's chirography, and had arrested me on the 
previous night. Some of them even seemed to doubt the 
General's ability to write, urging as a reason for their opinion, 
that they had never seen anything he had written. I talked to 
them, but they were inexorable, and I was compelled to go back 
to a picket partly to prove my identity. 

Gen. Smith gave me a horse to ride to the river, and I then 
made good time. Twelve miles above the mouth of Rock Fish 
creek, I stole two negroes, and a boat, and abandoned my horse ; 
and at dark I was at the mouth of the creek, on Cape Fear river, 
down which I proceeded rapidly. This is not a wide stream, 
until it passes Wilmington ; but it was very high at that time, 
and the current was swift ; and below the m-outh of Rock Fish, 
as far as the town of Elizabeth, it is the straightest natural 
water course I ever saw ; indeed it was almost as straight as a 
canal. 

My contrabands worked very hard at the paddles, for they 
knew that I was going to make them free, as soon as they 
reached Wilmington ; and we got along remarkably well, con- 
sidering the fact that it was extremely dark. We came near 
being stove to pieces several times, by snags, and once were 
caught in an eddy, in the middle of which was a whirlpool — an 
ugly place, in which we came near being drawn under. We labored 
assiduously, however, with all our strength, and finally succeeded 
ill escaping, but our boat was nearly full of water, and our 



AN INSECURE RETREAT. 385 

Strength almost exhausted. Although the largest whirlpool I 
ever saw, I do not think it is always there, but is the result of 
an extraordinarily high water, sweeping by the curve in the 
bank. 

When daylight overtook us, we pulled ashore, and hid our- 
selves and went to sleep, thinking we had passed the town of 
Elizabeth, which was the only point on the river at which we 
anticipated danger ; but when it got entirely light, we discovered 
that the place was yet a little below us, and on the opposite 
bank. If we remained where we were, in close proximity to the 
town, we knew that detection was certain ; and I therefore got 
my Black crew on board again, and dropped down a little, to the 
mouth of a creek, and then pulled into it; and we soon found it 
widened into a timber swamp, and in this we hid our boat, and 
then took ourselves to what we deemed a secure place. We were, 
however, soon astonished to find ourselves Avithin a stone's throw 
of a rebel camp ; but there was now no help for us, and we were 
compelled to do the best Ave could. The toAvn, also, which Avas 
in full vicAv, Avas full of rebel soldiers, and refugees ; and these, 
til add to our unpleasant feelings, were constantly engaged in 
running off stuff and hiding it in the very swamp in which our 
boat was concealed. There was, also, on our own side of the 
river, a body of cavalry and infantry, some eight or nine 
hundred altogether — and two pieces of artillery ; but the latter 
were taken away during the day. 

NotAvithstanding all these difficulties, we escaped detection, 
but were obliged to abandon our boat, and take to the w^oods, 
which we did as soon as it was dark. Our course was up the 
creek, and through the woods, until we concluded Ave were far 
enough aAvay to have no more to fear from the rebel camp, when 
we struck out, and soon came upon a big road, where we crossed 
the creek or rather SAvamp, on a big log ; but only to find our- 
selves on an island, and in the midst of a company of rebel 
infantry. Men were passing, and repassing; and near us, were 
at least a dozen brilliant camp fires. We at once thrcAv ourselves 
flat on the ground, to study what Ave should do ; and while laying 



386 A NARROW ESCAPE. 

there, a company of cavalry passed so near us, that we might have 
touched their horses " with a ten foot pole." 

"Now is our chance," I whispered to my negroes, as I heard 
the horses splashing through the water, while some of the men 
were swearing. We immediately bounded up, ran to the log, and 
crossed, immediately behind the cavalry, and when we cleared 
the water, we sprang for the brush, and were soon out of sight. 
I was sure that if we were seen by the infantry, they would 
conclude that we belonged to the cavalry, and had dismounted 
for some purpose ; and if the cavalry observed us, they would 
take us for infantry men, and pay no attention to us. HoA^ever, 
I do not think they saw us at all. 

We now made a wider circuit around the town, and by dint of 
exertion and much wading, accompanied by enormous fatigue, 
we reached the river bank again, two miles below the place. 

At the next plantation, we got a negro guide to pilot us across 
another swamp that was very deep, and could only be crossed 
■with difficulty in a boat, as it was fully a mile wide and densely 
timbered all the way. He landed us at an old road which was 
now out of use, and took us a mile or so further to a ferry, where 
we stole another boat, and went on our way rejoicing. We now 
traveled as fast as we could paddle our batteau, until within about 
twenty-five miles of Wilmington, where we met with the gun-boat 
Eolus, which we hailed and were taken on board. 

About three hundred yards above where I got on- board, she 
stopped and captured four rebels who were in a bateau trying 
their best to escape her, and who appeared to have been follow- 
ing us : but of that I am not certain. I reported to the captain, 
whose name was Young, that I was carrying dispatches for Gen. 
Sherman. He was delighted to hear from the interior, and was 
ready to afford me any assistance in his power. The men 
crowded around me, and for a few minutes I was besieged with 
questions about the welfare of the army, and the nature and ex- 
tent of its achievements ; and then hurrying me down into the 
hold, they quickly had me rigged out in clean clothes — shirts, 
drawers and socks — and they were hunting for pants, blouse and 



,V|JHi!i|.^^ 




''iii»iiii,.::'i^;iiiy':i 



ARRIVAL AT WILMIXGTON. 387 

hat, ^\llen the "dinkey" was lowered to the water, and the cap- 
taia gave me a letter and told me my craft— which was his own 
light boat— was ready. I was surprised when I found that the 
Eolus had carried me fourteen miles up the river again in the 
little while I had been aboard of her; but our boat ran very li<rht, 
and we soon regained the distance. As wq had been fasting 
nearly two days, her hospitality was well timed. 

That afternoon we got to Wilmington, and leaving the 
"dinkey" with one of the gun-boats, according to Capt. Young's 
order, and my negro crew at the Provost Marshal's office, I went 
immediately to Gen. Terry's head quarters, and delivered my 
dispatches. He received me very kindly, and satisfied all my 
wants, and gave me a fresh supply of ammunition. The same 
dispatch had already arrived a few hours before me by two of 
Gen. Howard's scouts— a sergeant Amich, and a man whose 
tiame I do not recollect. Their route was much shorter than 
mine, and they beat me through half a day. They had made the 
trip in the disguise of rebel officers, and met with no opposition, 
though they often met pickets, and squads of men on the way. 

My journey by the river, however, was an important one, as 
by that means the practicability of ascending it with gun-boats 
was established. I was fully able to report every obstruction on 
the stream, and informed the commanders of the fleet that at 
Elizabeth was an immense raft, which the rebels deemed suffi- 
cient to check the progress of the boats ; but that hope turned out 
a delusion. At some points, they had the river nearly blocked 
up by trees, which they had chopped into it ; but the inevitable 
Yankee couldn't be stopped. 

My work, however, Avas not done when I reached Wilmington, 
as I had yet other dispatches to deliver to Gen. Schofield, at 
^^e^vbern, or Kingston; and as my orders were to proceed to the 
former place by sea. Gen. Dodge gave me transportation on the 
Weybossett, a very large vessel loaded with soldiers. 

While oflf the coast, we experienced a severe storm, and though 
the waves did not roll "mountains high," or anythino- like it, 
they did rise about twenty feet, which was sufficient to make 



388 ON THE OCEAN. 

everything about the ship crack, and to put me out of all fancy 
for sea traveling. Everybody on board, of course, was sea-sick, 
except a few chaps who, I observed, were plunging about in 
heavy boots, pea-jackets, and uncouth looking hats ; and who 
were chiefly employed in pulling, first at this rope, and then at 
that, as though they might have imbibed too freely of old Bour- 
bon. The gunwales of the boat were lined all the time with men 
holding their heads over the water, and acting very much as if 
they had all taken rather freely of an emetic. For my part, I 
discovered that the most comfortable position I could assume, 
was with my stomach across a water cask. 

The ship didn't appear to care a cent about the muss it was 
raising, but kept on, like a wild mustang, when under the saddle 
for the first time ; every few minutes contriving to duck down so 
low that the wind would dash the water over us, which did not 
greatly enhance our comfort. I will not say that it made us 
more miserable, for that would be impossible ; a sea-sick man 
can defy all creation to add to his misery. 

In due course of time we arrived at Morehead city, an(~' from 
there I took the cars to Newborn, and thence proceeded to 
Kingston, walking the last ten miles of the way. I gave my 
message to General Scofield, and then, after eating a meal, laid 
down for a nap ; but I had not been asleep more than three 
hours, when an orderly Avoke me up, saying the General wanted 
me. I went immediately to him, and he said he desired to have 
me carry a dispatch back to General Sherman across the coun- 
try ; and I took the document and started. 

At these headquarters, I met an old scout and friend, named 
Mclntyre, who went five or six miles with me — a man from the 
escort accompanying us to take back the horse I rode. We 
parted, and they returned to the camp, while I directed my steps 
through the Avoods toward Kenansville, and the reader may be 
sure I had a long, hard tramp. My orders were to go to Fai- 
son's Depot, on the railroad, between Wilmington and Golds- 
boro, where General Scofield expected that General Sherman 
Avould be the next Sunday ; and it was a diflBcult Job to get 



DIVIDING HORSES. 889 

tlirougli, as the rebels had the bridges and creek crossings all 
picketed. I had, sometimes, to go four or five miles out of 
my way to get across streams. At one point, about sixteen 
miles from Faison's, I wanted something to eat, and went to a 
negro cabin some distance from the road to get it; and while I 
was there, one of our soldiers went down the road on about the 
fiistest horse, ever I saw a soldier ride ; and he was raakins: it 
do its best, while close behind him were about twenty Johnnies, 
in full pursuit, I soon saw, however, that the Yankee was bound 
to be winner, for his horse could out run every thing the John- 
nies had. It was a pretty race, as long as I could see it ; and 
wh'.'n the party was out of sight, I took to the woods. Fortu- 
nately I did not travel far, till I discovered two horses tied to a 
tree, and I at once made a fair "divide" with the owner — I took 
one and left him the other ; of course exercising my privilege of 
first choice. At the first house I passed I borrowed a saddle, 
and from there made good time, going at a run till I overtook 
the General. He had left the depot, and was already several 
miles away ; and judging from the roar of artillery, was up to 
his eyes in a fight. Following the direction of the heaviest 
sound, I kept on, and found the General, as I expected, trying 
to force the Johnnies into a descent submission to the laws of 
the country. He was on the march with the 15th corps, when I 
overtook him, and delivered my dispatches. 

As the enemy did not stand long, our army went into camp 
soon after my arrival, and I had the privilege of a free night's 
rest — and let not the reader suppose that I needed rocking in 
order to sleep. 

On the following morning, the army was on the march early, 
and in a little while began fighting with the enemy's cavalry. 
I was with the advance, and we had a lively time, in which I got 
several good shots ; but of course the rebels had to fly. We 
kept on after the retreating foe all day, skirmishing almost con- 
tinually. Our route lay in the direction of Smithfield, and in 
the evening, we came upon the enemy in considerable force, and 
had a warm encounter, which resulted in the capture from them 



390 GALLANT CHAEGE OF OHIO SOLDIERS. 

of a strong line of breastworks, on Hannah's creek — tliey be- 
ing carried by a charge made by the 46th Ohio Infantry. The 
boys went in with a spirit Avhich was irresistible, and the John- 
nies either fell before their unerring Spencer rifles, or retreated 
in shameful disorder, amid the cheers of our gallant men. 

The army immediately went into camp, after this encounter, 
and began to strengthen their position. Next morning, I went 
out and skirmished a little, but on learning that a train was 
to start from Kingston, that day, I returned to headquarters, 
and got permission from the General to go home. As I had 
served about seven months over my time, my request was read- 
ily granted ; and he further furnished me with an order to the 
Adjutant General, at Washington, who immediately through his 
assistant. Colonel Beck, gave me another order, directing me to 
go to Columbus for muster out ; and my connection with the 
service, and my adventures, terminated on the 1st day of April, 
1865. 



CHAPTER XXXYII. 

PERSONAL CONCLUSION. 



My arduous duties, accompanied as was the peculiar branch 
of the service to which I was attached, by far more than ever 
the ordinary exposure of soldier life, together with the hardships 
of two long terms of imprisonment in rebel slaughter pens, natu- 
rally impaired my health greatly ; though, fortunately, my mala- 
dies were only of a trifling nature, and a few months at home 
leaves me once more able and willing to respond to a second call 
to serve my country, should the necessity again arise to mar- 
shall an army for its defense — which, I trust, may never be the 
case. As for the war of the rebellion — that practically ended 
with the surrender of Lee ; and with it is settled the whole ques- 
tion of secession. Henceforth, no man will be so idle as to 
dream of place and power through disunion ; and no man will 
dare to raise his hand against this government, which is emphati- 
cally the great champion of freedom. 

The Union of the States — that is to be perpetual ; the last 
rays of the setting sun, on the day that time ceases to be, must 
fall upon our nation united, and able to cope with all mankind, 
and only succumbing to the decrees of Heaven. Let malcon- 
tents reconcile themselves to this fact. Patriotic heads have 
decreed that treason shall never again rear its head ; and patri- 
ots are ready to enforce this decree, as they have already en- 
forced it, at fearful cost. 

I have ever endeavored to do my duty faithfully, and will 
never shrink from meeting any man who is a foe to my country. 
I chose the occupation of a scout, because it was suited to my 
nature, and because, while preferring those duties, I was inde- 
pendent, and could suit my actions to my will. While in the 
army directly, there was more restraint than suited me; but my 



392 . COMMENDATORY LETTERS. 

duties as a scout, though accompanied by cold, liunger, and dan- 
ger, were ever a pleasure. The more the risk accompanying an 
expedition, the greater was my ambition to undertake it. 

My reward has been rich. I gained the confidence of officers, 
and the respect of comrades ; and this was all I ever desired, 
and all I received, except on two occasions. One of these was 
when Gen. Grant paid me a hundred dollars for running the 
Muscle shoals ; and the other was on leaving the army, on the 
21st of March, when Gen. Sherman gave me a like sum for navi- 
gating the Cape Fear river to Wilmington. 

Many of the occurrences I have related may be hard to -be- 
lieve ; some may even regard them as wholly fictitious ; but 
those wdio have seen service in this way, whether officer or sol- 
dier, will scarcely question them; as there is scarcely a man 
who has been in the army but has experienced more or less of 
adventure, equally startling and romantic. 

I am not disposed to be vain, nor to parade the good opinions 
which others have entertained regarding me, before the world ; 
but for the benefit of those who know nothing of my character 
for veracity, I beg leave to append the following documentary 
evidence, relating to my career : 

"Head-Quarters 4th O. V. Cavalry, 
"Paint Rock, Ala., Dec. 3, 1863. 
" To his Excellency David Tod, Governor of Ohio : 

"I have the honor to respectfully recommend to your notice for promo- 
tion Corporal James Pike, of the 4th 0. V. Cavalry, who has been a mem- 
ber of the regiment since September, 1861. He has, by strict attention to 
his duties, and by meritorious conduct in various engagements, richly 
earned a commission. He has also been engaged at different times in se- 
cret service, thereby gaining a great deal of valuable information, which 
has been highly beneficial to the Government. 

" Respectfully yours, 

" 0. P. ROBIE, 

"Lieut. Col. Commanding, 4th O. V. Cavalry." 

" Headquarters 2d Cavalry Division, 
"HuNTsviLLE, Ala., Deo. 4, 1863 
" Corporal Pike is well known to almost every commander in this De- 



COMMENDATORY LETTERS. 39^ 

piirhnent for the invaluable services he has rendered as a scout and on 
secret service. Me has been with me for some two months, sometimes 
performing the most dangerous services. I have always found him intelli- 
gent, energetic, zealous, and possessed of a high sense of honor; and in 
every way calculated to make an excellent officer. 1 hope, if consistent 
with the Governor's views, this promotion will be made as a slight acknowl- 
edgement of Corporal Pike's past services. 

" George Crook, 
" Brig. Gen. commanding Division." 

" Head-Quarters, Dep. Cumberland, 
" Chattanooga, Feb. 15, 1864. 
"Respectfully forwarded and recommended. 1 have known Corporal' 
Pike for a long time as an energetic, capable, and conscientious man, and 
believe he would make a good officer. 

" George H. Thomas, 
"Maj. Gen., U. S. V., Commanding." 

" Head Quarters of the army in the Field, 
'•Nashville, Tenn., March 14, 1864. 
•' The recommendation of Gen. Thomas is cordially concurred in by me. 
Corporal Pike has proved himself brave and energetic, and I believe would 
make an efficient commissioned officer. 

"U.S.Grant, 
"Lieut. General." 

General Sherman, who is a man of few words, and who is not 
readily imposed upon while acting in a military capacity, gave 
me the following, which is in his usual terse and comprehensive 
style : 

" Trust the bearer. 

" W. T. Sherman, 

" Major General." 
"March 8, 1865." 

I did not enter the fearful contest, which raged so unremittingly 
for four years, from any sectional prejudices. I fought no man 
because he was a Southerner^ but because he was a rebel. I hated 
secession, but have ever loved and been ready to protect the loyal 
men of the South. The war was not of my seeking, but was the 
inevitable result of the fact that those who entertained a certain 
class of principles were unwilling to submit to the arbitrament 



394 GOOD BY. 

of reason. The secessionists forced the contest upon the coun- 
try, and I had but to choose the cause I woukl espouse. In 
every conflict there is a right and a wrong side ; and when the 
war began I chose the right. "When I enlisted, I fully resolved 
never to abandon the struggle, if my life was spared, till th^ 
great wrong, beneath which the country was suffering, should be 
righted; and if the work of rendering every foot of my native 
country free, has not yet been accomplished, I am ready to 
fight again. 

When once it is determined to engage in a war, it is the part 
of mercy and humanity to wage it with all the energy a bellige- 
rent possesses. The more sanguinary the conflict, the shorter 
will be its duration, and the sooner peace will be restored to 
bless the land. The more lives lost in battle, the fewer the vic- 
tims of camp life; and a sharp and decisive campaign is f;ir less 
wasting to an army than one of idleness and inactivity. 

Hoping that our country has endured its last great trial; that 
perpetual peace and prosperity may bless its people, and that 
henceforth reason, and not passion, may be the arbiter of all dif- 
ferences, I bid the generous reader a kind 



Good By. 



■^<i'/.,. 



